Insect trap device and method of using

ABSTRACT

An insect trap is provided. The insect trap includes a trap portion and a base portion. The trap portion includes an enclosure with an adhesive surface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect. The base portion includes a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion and wherein the mounting portion is configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source. The trap portion is configured to removably engage the base portion and receive light from the base portion when engaged therewith. The base portion includes a snap protrusion and the trap portion includes a snap recess for receiving the snap protrusion, wherein when the snap protrusion is received by the trap portion, the base portion and trap portion are engaged in a snap fit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related generally to an insect trap, moreparticularly, to a removable insect trap having a minimal footprint andan aesthetically pleasing design.

BACKGROUND

Flying insect pests have long been a nuisance and a health hazard. Sinceancient times, insect traps have been used to eliminate flying insects,and hundreds of different traps have been proposed and developed overthe centuries. There has always been a need to eliminate flies andmosquitos that inevitably find their way into homes. Recent US outbreaksof Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile virus and harmful E. Coliinfections, public health threats that can be spread by flying insects,have only increased this need. Because insects may see and be attractedto a combination of ultraviolet (UV) and visible light, an indoor insecttrap may have its own UV and visible light sources. Insect trapscommonly have a fluorescent tube that emits both UV and visible light toattract insects and a glue board to trap them. However, insect trapsincorporating fluorescent tubes and the transformers that power them maybe too large to fit wherever they’re needed and too expensive to affordone for every room in the house. In addition, insects may contact thefluorescent tube and over time it may accumulate dust and insect debris,blocking the light and reducing the trap’s effectiveness. Furthermore,the glue board may be difficult to remove and replace without touchingtrapped insects and adhesive.

SUMMARY

An insect trap is provided. The insect trap includes a trap portion anda base portion. The trap portion includes an enclosure with an adhesivesurface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at leastpartially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere toan insect. The base portion includes a lighting element and a mountingportion, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light tothe trap portion and wherein the mounting portion is configured tocommunicate with and receive power from a power source. The trap portionis configured to removably engage the base portion and receive lightfrom the base portion when engaged therewith. The base portion includesa snap protrusion and the trap portion includes a snap recess forreceiving the snap protrusion, wherein when the snap protrusion isreceived by the trap portion, the base portion and trap portion areengaged in a snap fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

While the appended claims set forth the features of the presenttechniques with particularity, these techniques, together with theirobjects and advantages, may be best understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsof which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a base portion of the insect trapof FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a trap portion of the insect trap of FIG.1 ;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a base portion of the insect trapof FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a trap portion of the insect trapof FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a trap portion of the insect trapof FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view through a seventh embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of an eighth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 21 ;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a ninth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure,;

FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 24 ;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a tenth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 27 ;

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 29 ;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of an insecttrap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 31 ;

FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 33 ;

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 35 ;

FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 37 ;

FIG. 39 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 37 ;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 37 ;

FIG. 41 is a front perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 41 ;

FIG. 43 is a rear perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 43 ;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 44

FIG. 46 is a front perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 47 is a front perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 48 is a rear perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 47 ;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view through the insect of FIG. 47 ;

FIG. 50 is a front perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 52 is a rear perspective view of a twenty-first embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 53 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 52 ;

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 52 ;

FIG. 55 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 54 ;

FIG. 56 is a front perspective view of a twenty-second embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 57 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 56 ;

FIG. 58 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 56 ;

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 56 ;

FIG. 60 is a front perspective view of a twenty-third embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 61 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 60 ;

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 60 ;

FIG. 63 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 62 ;

FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view through the insect trap of FIG. 60 ;

FIG. 65 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 64 ;

FIG. 66 is a front perspective view of a twenty-fourth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 67 is a front perspective view of the insect trap of FIG. 66 ;

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 66 ;

FIG. 69 is a front perspective view of a twenty-fifth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 69 ;

FIG. 71 is a front perspective view of a twenty-sixth embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of the insect trap of FIG. 71 ; and

FIG. 73 is a front perspective view of a twenty-seventh embodiment of aninsect trap in accordance with principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of anembodiment of an insect trap, indicated generally at 110. Insect trap110 includes a base portion 112 and a removable trap portion 114. Afront surface 160 of base portion 112 may include a switch 116,configurable to enable insect trap 110 to be turned on or off by closingor opening switch 116 as desired by the user. Alternatively, switch 116may be configured to control other features such as light intensity,combinations of light wavelengths, different modes or frequencies offlickering light, an automatic setting that turns on when the room getsdark, or a remote control setting, for example. Switch 116 may bemanually operated, although switch 116 may also be operatedelectrically, optically, electro-mechanically, electro-optically, or byany other method or combination of methods for opening or closing switch116. Trap portion 114 includes a front housing 118 with at least oneopening 120 in a front surface 168. Opening 120 in front housing 118 maybe configured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 110,or alternatively it may be configured to admit one or more specificinsect species. In some embodiments, opening 120 is configured toprevent the user’s fingers from penetrating opening 120 andinadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 114. In some embodiments, opening 120 has a sizeand shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 120, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter can pass through any portion of opening 120. Opening 120 may beof uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 114 has more than one opening 120, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 120 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of base portion 112 of insect trap 110with trap portion 114 removed. Protruding from a rear surface 162 ofbase portion 112 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 122,adapted to mount insect trap 110 to a wall and provide power to insecttrap 110 by inserting conductive prongs 122 into a standard householdelectrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 112 may beconfigured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 112. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 110, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion 112includes a lighting element such as one or more light emitting diodes(LEDs) 124. In some embodiments, LEDs 124 include at least one thatemits ultraviolet (UV) light and at least one that emits visible light.In some embodiments, LEDs 124 include at least one that emits UV lightand at least one that emits blue light, to better attract a wide varietyof insect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs124 include at least one that emits infrared (IR) light, to betterattract certain species of insects such as mosquitos. Mounted in a topsurface 126 of base portion 112 may be a transparent or translucentwindow 128, shown partially cut away to reveal LEDs 124. Window 128protects LEDs 124 from dust and insect debris, and allows base portion112 to be easily cleaned. In top surface 126 may be a slot 130, and onthe perimeter 164 of top surface 126 is a rim or upwardly directedprotrusions 132.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of trap portion 114 of insect trap 110. Trapportion 114 includes a divider 134 which may have a front surface 138,and a rear housing 140. In some embodiments, divider 134 is constructedfrom or includes a transparent or translucent material and may be coatedwith a transparent or translucent adhesive 136 on front surface 138.Adhesive 136 is shown partly cut away in this view. In some embodiments,divider 134 is configured to polarize light transmitted through it in anorientation similar to that of daylight to further attract flyinginsects, a wide variety of which are known to detect polarized light. Insome embodiments, the material and thickness of divider 134 and thematerial and thickness of adhesive 136 are selected to transmit asubstantial proportion of the UV and/or visible and/or IR light, forexample greater than 60% of the light is transmitted through divider 134and adhesive 136. In some embodiments, rear housing 140 includes areflective-coated inside surface 142. Alternatively, the material andsurface finish of rear housing 140 may be configured to reflect anddisperse UV and/or visible and/or IR light without a reflective coating.Rear housing 140 may include an opening 144 on its bottom surface 166,or alternatively opening 144 may be replaced by a transparent ortranslucent window (not shown).

In some embodiments, front housing 118 and rear housing 140 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic. Alternatively, other opaque,transparent or translucent materials such as paper, paperboard,cardboard or paper pulp may also be used. In some embodiments, fronthousing 118 and rear housing 140 are constructed by injection molding,casting or by other suitable manufacturing techniques. As shown, divider134 is substantially planar, although it may be formed into a convex,concave or saddle-shaped contour, or a combination of contours tooptimize the even distribution of light. Alternatively, divider 134 mayhave ribs or other features that increase adhesive surface area andcreate regions of light/dark contrast, which are highly visible to awide variety of insects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 118 may be coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive on an inside surface 170 to provideadditional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition, fronthousing 118 may also have a reflective coating (not shown) underneaththe adhesive coating on inside surface 170 to enhance its attraction toinsects and further improve the insect trapping efficiency andeffectiveness.

In some embodiments, front housing 118, divider 134 and rear housing 140are joined together at their perimeters with adhesive, although they mayalso be joined by other commonly used packaging assembly techniques suchas ultrasonic welding or RF sealing, or any other suitable assemblymethod. The materials of trap portion 114 may also include one or moreinsect attractants. For example, trap portion 114 may be impregnatedwith sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that further increases theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 110. In such embodiments,the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 114. Alternatively,the insect attractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown)that mounts on inside surface 170 of front housing 118 or throughopening 120 in front housing 118 or on front surface 138 of divider 134.It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable by an insect forapproximately a 2 meter radius from insect trap 110.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 110. As shown,divider 134 separates trap portion 114 into a front enclosure 146 and arear enclosure 148. In some embodiments, base portion 112 includes acircuit board 150 having a programmable processor or chip (not shown)for executing commands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 122,only one of which is shown, switch 116 and LEDs 124, only one of whichis shown. For clarity, however, not all of the electrical connectionsare shown. Circuit board 150 may include electronic circuitry to receiveordinary household current from conductive prongs 122, respond to theposition of switch 116 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 124. Circuitboard 150 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifiercircuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage to LEDs 124when switch 116 is in the closed position, although it may also providea varying voltage to LEDs 124 to provide a flickering light that mimicsmovement that some insect species, including mosquitoes, may findattractive. For example, light flickering frequencies in the approximaterange of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to250 Hz (e.g., the highest flicker frequency to attract male houseflies),may be desirable and the lighting element may be configured to flickerwithin this range. Circuit board 150 may provide power to LEDs 124 toprovide UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may be configuredto provide power to only UV LEDs 124 or to only visible light LEDs 124or to only IR light LEDS 124, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 150 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in the base portion 112 to emit an insect-attracting sound. Insome embodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recordedand/or generated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insectssuch as mosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or moreof insect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeatof a mammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 110. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 110.

As shown, slot 130 in top surface 126 of base portion 112 andprotrusions 132 on top surface 126 of base portion 112 engage with trapportion 114 to secure it in place during use, although any other form ofattachment may be substituted that allows trap portion 114 to besecurely but removably mounted to base portion 112.

In the operation of insect trap 110, conductive prongs 122 are insertedinto a wall electrical socket, and switch 116 is moved to a closedposition. LEDs 124 emit light, represented by arrows, preferably UV andvisible light, which is transmitted through window 128 in base portion112, through opening 144 in rear housing 140 of trap portion 114, intorear enclosure 148, and directly onto inside surface 142 of rear housing140 and a rear surface 152 of divider 134. In some embodiments, light isnot manipulated in base portion 112 and is emitted directly into trapportion 114. Inside surface 142 of rear housing 140 may include aconcave shape and may be configured to reflect and disperse the lightfrom LEDs 124 to distribute the light evenly onto rear surface 152 ofdivider 134, although inside surface 142 of rear housing 140 may have aconvex or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or may also haveribs or other features to more evenly distribute the light.Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens (notshown) or any other lens or combination of lenses configured todistribute the light (e.g., evenly, according to specific patterns, at afocal point, etc.) onto rear surface 152 of divider 134, may be mountedto rear housing 140 at or near opening 144 or mounted to base portion112 at or near window 128, and may replace or augment the role of insidesurface 142 of rear housing 140. In some embodiments, the light fromLEDs 124 directly strikes rear surface 152 of divider 134 at an obliqueangle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and spreadsacross divider 134, and replaces or augments the role of inside surface142 of rear housing 140 or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing140.

Thereafter, light transmits through divider 134 and adhesive 136 onfront surface 138, and into front enclosure 146. Light may be furtherevenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider 134,adhesive 136 on front surface 138, or both. A portion of the lightentering front enclosure 146 continues through opening 120 in fronthousing 118 and is emitted into the surrounding area where the insecttrap 110 is installed. Insects are attracted to the light emittedthrough adhesive coating 136 and through opening 120 in front housing118, and fly or crawl into opening 120 and onto adhesive 136, where theybecome trapped in the adhesive (e.g., from adhesive 136). A user mayobserve trapped insects by looking through opening 120 in front housing118. When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user mayeasily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 114 withouttouching the trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remainout of reach inside trap portion 114, and replace it with a new trapportion 114. New trap portion 114 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces andlight-directing surfaces, ensuring that insect trap 110 will continue toefficiently and effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 114 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 112, insect trap 110 protrudes minimally fromthe wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 110 is configured such that when insect trap110 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 110 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 110 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 114. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 114. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 142, divider 134and adhesive 136). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 136. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on the adhesive 136 orwithin trap portion 114, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 110 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 114 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 112, each trap portion 114 being uniquely configured to attractand trap a specific species or multiple species of flying insect. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 114, and the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 120 in front housing 118 oftrap portion 114, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap aspecific species or multiple species of flying insect. For example, insome embodiments, trap portion 114 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments,trap portion 114 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mmhigh and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 114 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 112 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 112 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 112 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 120 may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes.For example, opening 120 may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonaland/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 120 may be slotshaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern. Whenopening 120 is circular, opening 120 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 120 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 120 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening120 is slot shaped, opening 120 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mm wideand 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening 120 isapproximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In someembodiments, slot shaped opening 120 is approximately 2 mm to 15 mm wideand 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 120 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 118. For example, opening 120 may cover a range of approximately1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 118. In some embodiments,opening 120 covers approximately 5% to 50% of the surface area of fronthousing 118. In some embodiments, opening 120 covers approximately 10%to 30% of the surface area of front housing 118.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 210. Insect trap 210 includes a baseportion 212 and a removable trap portion 214. Protruding from a backsurface 262 of base portion 212 are a plurality of electricallyconductive prongs 216, only one of which is shown, adapted to mountinsect trap 210 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 210 byinserting conductive prongs 216 into a standard household electricalwall socket. Alternatively, base portion 212 may be configured to sit orhang wherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown)mounted in base portion 212. While an electrical socket and batterieshave been described as providing power to insect trap 210, any suitablepower source may be used. Base portion 212 includes a lighting elementsuch as one or more LEDs 218, only one of which is shown. In someembodiments, LEDs 218 include at least one that emits ultraviolet (UV)light and at least one that emits visible light. In some embodiments,LEDs 218 include at least one that emits UV light and at least one thatemits blue light to better attract a wide variety of insect species. Insome embodiments, the lighting element emits a combination ofwavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs 218 include atleast one that emits infrared (IR) light, to better attract certainspecies of insects such as mosquitos and fleas.

In some embodiments, mounted in a top surface 220 of base portion 212 isa transparent or translucent window 222. Window 222 protects LEDs 218from dust and insect debris, and allows base portion 212 to be easilycleaned. Top surface 220 of base portion 212 may include a slot 224, andon perimeter 270 of top surface 220 are upwardly directed protrusions226. Trap portion 214 includes a front housing 228 with at least oneopening 230 and a light-conducting body 238. Opening 230 in fronthousing 228 may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects intoinsect trap 210, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one ormore specific insect species. In some embodiments, opening 230 isconfigured to prevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 230 andinadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 214. In some embodiments, opening 230 has a sizeand shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 230, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter may pass through any portion of opening 230. Opening 230 may beof uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 214 has more than one opening 230, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 230 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species. In some embodiments, light-conducting body 238includes a front surface 254, an adhesive coating or an adhesive layer234 on front surface 254, and a rear cover 248. In some embodiments, thematerial and thickness of adhesive layer 234 are selected to transmit asubstantial proportion of the UV and/or visible and/or IR light, forexample greater than 60% of the light is transmitted through adhesivelayer 234. Light-conducting body may be tapered and configured toreceive light through a bottom surface 240 from LEDs 218 and deflect andevenly distribute the light (e.g., through front surface 254 andadhesive layer 234). Rear cover 248 may be configured to prevent lightfrom escaping through a top surface 242, a back surface 256 and sidesurfaces (not shown) of light-conducting body 238. As provided herein,any suitable light-conducting body may be used.

In some embodiments, front housing 228 is thermoformed from opaqueplastic sheet, although other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 228 is constructed by injectionmolding, casting or by other suitable manufacturing techniques. Fronthousing 228 may also be coated with transparent, translucent or opaqueadhesive on an inside surface 250 to provide additional insect trappingefficiency and capacity. In addition, front housing 228 may also have areflective coating (not shown) underneath the adhesive coating on insidesurface 250 to enhance its attraction to insects and further improve theinsect trapping efficiency and effectiveness. Front housing 228 andlight-conducting body 238 may be joined together where they intersect orengage by ultrasonic welding or high frequency (HF) welding, althoughthey may also be permanently or removably joined by adhesive or by othercommonly used packaging assembly techniques or by any other suitableassembly method.

As shown, front housing 228 and light-conducting body 238 together forma front enclosure 246. Light-conducting body 238 may be tapered (e.g.,thicker at bottom surface 240 and thinner at top surface 242), and maybe constructed from any transparent material that conducts UV and/or IRand/or visible light, such as acrylic or polycarbonate plastic. Theinside surfaces (not shown) of rear cover 248 may have a reflectivecoating to reflect light back into light-conducting body 238 and throughfront surface 254, thereby increasing its light-transmitting efficiency.Light-conducting body 238 may also have facets or other light-directingfeatures of varying size, depth, and density on front surface 254 toenhance its light-transmitting efficiency. Alternatively, in someembodiments, light-conducting body 238 has facets or otherlight-directing features on front surface 254 and not be tapered.Light-conducting body 238 with microscopic facets or other features onfront surface 254 is commonly referred to as a Light Guide Plate,although the facets or other features may also be larger and stillfunction effectively.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, light-conducting body 238 may nothave an adhesive coating, and light conducting body 238 and rear cover248 may be part of base portion 212. In such embodiments, trap portion214 may include a transparent or translucent back plate (not shown) withan adhesive coating on its front surface, attached at its perimeter tofront housing 228.

The materials of the trap portion 214 may also include one or moreinsect attractants. For example, trap portion 214 may be impregnatedwith sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that further increases theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 210. In such embodiments,the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 214. Alternatively,the insect attractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown)that mounts on inside surface 250 of front housing 228 or throughopening 230 in front housing 228 or on front surface 254 oflight-conducting body 238. It is desirable for such attractants to bedetectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insecttrap 210.

In some embodiments, base portion 212 includes a circuit board 252having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 216 and LEDs 218.For clarity, however, not all of the electrical connections are shown.Circuit board 252 may include electronic circuitry to receive ordinaryhousehold current from conductive prongs 216 and provide power toilluminate LEDs 218. Circuit board 252 may include an energy stabilizersuch as a full wave rectifier circuit or any other circuit that providessteady voltage to LEDs 218, although it may also provide a varyingvoltage to LEDs 218 to provide a flickering light, which may mimicmovement that some species of insects, including mosquitoes, may findattractive. For example, light flickering frequencies in the approximaterange from 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of large mammals),to 270 Hz (e.g., the highest flicker frequency to attract malehouseflies), may be desirable and the lighting element may be configuredto flicker within this range. Circuit board 252 may provide power toLEDs 218 to provide UV and/or visible and/or IR light although it may beconfigured to provide power to only UV LEDs 218, or to only visiblelight LEDs 218, or to only IR LEDs 218, or to provide variable power toproduce combinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Insome embodiments, circuit board 252 may also be configured to drive atransmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectric speaker or otherdevice that may be mounted in base portion 212 to emit aninsect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect sounds orvibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes, midges, mothsand flies, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to approximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highestfrequency detectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency isin the range of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 210. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1 meter distance from insect trap 210.

As shown, slot 224 in top surface 220 of base portion 212 andprotrusions 226 on top surface 220 of base portion 212 engage with trapportion 214 to secure it in place during use, although any other form ofattachment may be substituted that allows trap portion 214 to besecurely but removably mounted on base portion 212.

In the operation of the insect trap 210, conductive prongs 216 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and LEDs 218 emit light,represented by arrows, preferably UV and visible light. The light fromLEDs 218 transmit through window 222, enter bottom surface 240 oflight-conducting body 238 and repeatedly reflect off of front surface254 and back surface 256. In some embodiments, light is not manipulatedin base portion 212 and is emitted directly into trap portion 214. Aportion of the reflected light transmits through front surface 254 oflight-conducting body 238 to provide an evenly-distributed light ontoand through adhesive layer 234 and into front enclosure 246. The lightmay be further evenly distributed by refractive and light-diffusingproperties of adhesive layer 234 on front surface 254 oflight-conducting body 238. A portion of the light entering frontenclosure 246 continues through opening 230 in front housing 228 and isemitted into the surrounding area where insect trap 210 is installed.Insects are attracted to the light transmitted through adhesive layer234 and through opening 230 in front housing 228, and fly or crawlthrough opening 230 and onto adhesive layer 234, where they becometrapped in the adhesive. The user may observe trapped insects by lookingthrough opening 230 in front housing 228. When a sufficient number ofinsects have been trapped, the user may easily remove and discard theentire used trap portion 214 without touching the trapped insects,insect debris or adhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion214, and replace it with a new trap portion 214. New trap portion 214has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces,ensuring that insect trap 210 will continue to efficiently andeffectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 214 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 212, insect trap 210 protrudes minimally fromthe wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 210 is configured such that when insect trap210 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 210 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 210 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 214. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 214. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization and/ordiffusion and is achieved by engaging with a manipulative element orsurface (e.g., light-conducting body 238, front surface 254, backsurface 256, and adhesive layer 234). In some embodiments, lightmanipulation produces an even distribution of light on adhesive layer234. In some embodiments, light is manipulated to produce apredetermined pattern on adhesive layer 234 or within trap portion 214,for example, an even distribution, an even distribution with hot spotsof higher intensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 210 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 214 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 212, each trap portion 214 being uniquely configured to attractand trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. For example,the overall size and shape of trap portion 214, and the size, shape,location and orientation of opening 230 in front housing 228 of trapportion 214, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap a specificspecies or multiple species of insects. For example, in someembodiments, trap portion 214 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 214 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm highand 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 214 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 212 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 212 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 212 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 230 may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes.For example, opening 230 may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonaland/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 230 may be slotshaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern. Whenopening 230 is circular, opening 230 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 230 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 230 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening230 is slot shaped, opening 230 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mm wideand 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening 230 isapproximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In someembodiments, slot shaped opening 230 is approximately 2 mm to 15 mm wideand 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 230 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 228. For example, opening 230 may cover a range of approximately1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 228. In some embodiments,opening 230 covers approximately 5% to 50% of the surface area of fronthousing 228. In some embodiments, opening 230 covers approximately 10%to 30% of the surface area of front housing 228.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 310. Insect trap 310 may include a baseportion 312 and a removable trap portion 314. In some embodiments, frontsurface 360 of base portion 312 includes a switch 316, configurable toenable insect trap 310 to be turned on or off by closing or openingswitch 316 as desired by the user. Alternatively, switch 316 may beconfigured to control other features such as light intensity,combinations of light wavelengths, different flickering frequencies ormodes, an automatic setting that turns on when the room gets dark, or aremote control setting, for example. Switch 316 may be manuallyoperated, although switch 316 may also be operated electrically,optically, electro-mechanically, electro-optically, or by any method foropening or closing switch 316. Trap portion 314 may include a housing318 with at least one opening 320. Opening 320 in housing 318 may beconfigured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 310, oralternatively it may be configured to admit one or more specific insectspecies. Opening 320 may preferably be configured to prevent user’sfingers from penetrating opening 320 and inadvertently touching trappedinsects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 314.Opening 320 may preferably have a size and shape such that a sphere 25mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 320, and opening 320 maypreferably have a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter maypass through any portion of opening 320. Opening 320 may be of uniformor of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 314 hasmore than one opening 320, they may be of identical or of differingwidths, shapes and orientations.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of base portion 312 of insect trap310. Protruding from a rear surface 362 of base portion 312 are aplurality of electrically conductive prongs 322, adapted to mount insecttrap 310 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 310 by insertinginto a standard household electrical wall socket. Alternatively, baseportion 312 may be configured to sit or hang wherever desired andreceive power from batteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 312.While an electrical socket and batteries have been described asproviding power to insect trap 310, any suitable power source may beused. Base portion 312 includes a lighting element such as one or moreLEDs 324. In some embodiments, LEDs 324 include one that emitsultraviolet (UV) light and one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 324 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs324 include at least one that emits infrared (IR) light to betterattract certain species of insects such as mosquitos and fleas. Mountedin a top surface 326 of base portion 312 may be a transparent ortranslucent window 328, shown partially cut away to reveal LEDs 324.Window 328 protects LEDs 324 from dust and insect debris, and allowsbase portion 312 to be easily cleaned. Upwardly directed protrusions ora rim 330 protruding from the perimeter 364 of top surface 326 of baseportion 312 may serve to secure trap portion 314 in place during use,although any other form of attachment may be substituted that allowstrap portion 314 to be securely but removably mounted to base portion312.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of trap portion 314 of insect trap310. Trap portion 314 includes housing 318, which forms an enclosure,and a transparent or translucent adhesive coating applied to one or moreinside surfaces 334. In some embodiments, the material and thickness ofhousing 318 and the material and thickness of the adhesive coating areselected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through housing 318 and the adhesive coating. In someembodiments, housing 318 is thermoformed from opaque plastic sheet,although other opaque, transparent or translucent materials such aspaper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also be used. In someembodiments, housing 318 is constructed by injection molding or by othersuitable manufacturing techniques.

As shown, housing 318 includes ribs 336 or other features that increasethe adhesive-coated surface area, produce alternating light/dark regionsthat some insect species find attractive, and enhance the transmissionof insect-attracting light into an interior 370 of trap portion 314. Asleeve 338, configured to reduce the amount of light emitted by anoutside surface 368 of housing 318, covers outside surface 368 ofhousing 318 except for a bottom surface 366 and at opening 320. In someembodiments, sleeve 338 is thermoformed from opaque sheet plastic,although other opaque, transparent or translucent materials such aspaper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also be used. In someembodiments, sleeve 338 includes a reflective coating on one or more ofits inside surfaces (not shown), allowing sleeve 338 to direct morelight through inside surfaces 334 of housing 318 and further enhance theinsect attracting and trapping efficiency and effectiveness. In someembodiments, sleeve 338 is replaced by a coating configured to reducethe amount of light emitted by outside surface 368 of housing 318, or bythe coating applied over a reflective coating, applied to outsidesurface 368 of housing 318, except for bottom surface 366.

The materials of the trap portion 314 may also include one or moreinsect attractants. For example, trap portion 314 may be impregnatedwith sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that increases the insect-attractingefficiency of insect trap 310. In such embodiments, the insectattractant is integral to trap portion 314. Alternatively, the insectattractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown) that mountson inside surfaces 334 of housing 318 or through opening 320 in housing318. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable by an insectfor approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 310.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 310. In someembodiments, base portion 312 includes a circuit board 340 having aprogrammable processor or chip (not shown) for executing commands,electrically connected to conductive prongs 322, only one of which isshown, switch 316 and LEDs 324, only one of which is shown. For clarity,however, not all of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board340 may include electronic circuitry to receive ordinary householdcurrent from conductive prongs 322, respond to the position of switch316 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 324. Circuit board 340 mayinclude an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifier filtercircuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage to LEDs 324when switch 316 is in a closed position, although it may also provide avarying voltage to LEDs 324 to provide a flickering light, which maymimic movement that some insect species, including mosquitoes, may findattractive. For example, light flickering frequencies in the approximaterange of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of mammals) to 250Hz (e.g., the highest flicker frequency attracting male houseflies), maybe desirable and the lighting element may be configured to flickerwithin this range. Circuit board 340 may provide power to LEDs 324 toprovide both UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it could beconfigured to provide power to only the UV LEDs 324 or to only thevisible light LEDs 324 or to only the IR LEDs 324, or to providevariable power to produce combinations of flickering UV and/or visibleand/or IR light. In some embodiments, circuit board 340 may also beconfigured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricspeaker or other device that may be mounted in base portion 312 to emitan insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect sounds orvibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes, midges, mothsand flies, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to approximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highestfrequency detectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency isin the range of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from trap 310. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 310.

In the operation of insect trap 310, conductive prongs 322 are insertedinto a wall electrical socket and switch 316 is moved to a closedposition. LEDs 324 emit light, represented by arrows, which transmitsthrough window 328 in base portion 312 and through bottom surface 366 ofhousing 318. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in baseportion 312 and is emitted directly into trap portion 314. A portion ofthe light continues within the enclosure, up one or more sides 372 ofhousing 318, and out through inside surfaces 334. Another portion of thelight continues through bottom surface 366 of housing 318 and into theenclosure, where it illuminates inside surfaces 334. A portion of thelight entering housing 318 continues through opening 320 and is emittedinto the surrounding area where the trap is installed. Insects in thearea are attracted to the light transmitted through opening 320 and flyor crawl into opening 320 and onto inside surfaces 334, where theybecome stuck in the adhesive and are trapped. The user may observetrapped insects by looking through opening 320. When a sufficient numberof insects have been trapped, the user may easily remove and discard theentire used trap portion 314 without touching trapped insects, insectdebris or adhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 314,and replace it with a new trap portion 314. New trap portion 314 hasfresh adhesive-coated inside surfaces 334, housing 318 has a cleanbottom surface 366 through which the light is transmitted into trapportion 314, and the transparent or translucent material of trap portion314 has not been degraded by prolonged exposure to UV light from LEDs324, thereby ensuring that insect trap 310 will continue to efficientlyand effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 314 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 312, insect trap 310 protrudes minimally fromthe wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 310 is configured such that when insect trap310 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 310 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 310 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 314. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 314. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., housing 318 and inside surfaces334). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces an evendistribution of light on an adhesive surface or adhesive coating. Insome embodiments, light is manipulated to produce a predeterminedpattern on the adhesive coating or within trap portion 314, for example,an even distribution, an even distribution with hot spots of higherintensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 310 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 314 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 312, each trap portion 314 being uniquely configured to attractand trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. For example,the overall size and shape of trap portion 314, and the size, shape,location and orientation of opening 320 in housing 318 of trap portion314, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap a specific speciesor multiple species of insects. For example, in some embodiments, trapportion 314 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm highand 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 314 isapproximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 314 is approximately 20 mm to130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 312 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 312 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 312 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 320 may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes.For example, opening 320 may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonaland/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 320 may be slotshaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern. Whenopening 320 is circular, opening 320 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 320 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 320 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening320 is slot shaped, opening 320 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mm wideand 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening 320 isapproximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In someembodiments, slot shaped opening 320 is approximately 2 mm to 15 mm wideand 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 320 covers all or a portion of trap portion314. For example, opening 320 may cover a range of approximately 1% to75% of the surface area of trap portion 314. In some embodiments,opening 320 covers approximately 5% to 50% of the surface area of trapportion 314. In some embodiments, opening 320 covers approximately 10%to 30% of the surface area of trap portion 314.

Although as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9 , the trap portionmounts on a top surface of the base portion, other configurations arealso contemplated. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodimentof an insect trap, where the trap portion mounts to the front of thebase portion.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view and FIG. 11 is a rear perspectiveview, both showing a fourth embodiment of an insect trap, indicatedgenerally at 410. Insect trap 410 includes a base portion 412 and aremovable trap portion 420. Trap portion 420 is shown removed from baseportion 412 in both views. Protruding from a rear surface 432 of baseportion 412 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 434,adapted to mount insect trap 410 to a wall and provide power to insecttrap 410 by inserting into a standard household electrical wall socket.Alternatively, base portion 412 may be configured to sit or hangwherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown) mounted inbase portion 412. While an electrical socket and batteries have beendescribed as providing power to insect trap 410, any suitable powersource may be used. A lighting element such as one or more LEDs 414 maybe mounted on a cross-shaped protrusion 416 protruding from a frontsurface 418 of base portion 412. Alternatively, LEDs 414 may form aprotrusion themselves. While shown as a cross-shaped protrusion, themounting surface and/or configuration of LEDs 414 may be any desiredshape. In some embodiments, base portion 412 includes a circuit board(not shown) having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) forexecuting commands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 434 andLEDs 414. Trap portion 420 includes a housing 450 of translucent ortransparent material with one or more adhesive-coated inside surfaces422 and at least one opening 424. In some embodiments, the material andthickness of housing 450 and the material and thickness of the adhesiveare selected to transmit a substantial proportion of the light, forexample greater than 60% of the light is transmitted through housing 450and the adhesive coating. Opening 424 may be configured to admit a widevariety of insects into insect trap 410, or alternatively it may beconfigured to admit one or more specific insect species. Opening 424 maybe configured to prevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 424 andinadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 420. Opening 424 may preferably have a size andshape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through the atleast one opening 424, and opening 424 may preferably have a size andshape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter may pass through any portionof opening 424. Opening 424 may be of uniform or of varying width, shapeand orientation, and if trap portion 420 has more than one opening 424,they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapes andorientations. Trap portion 420 may include a coating (not shown)configured to reduce the amount of light emitted by its outside surfaces452, on outside surfaces 452 except for at opening 424 and at across-shaped blind cavity 426 in its rear surface 428. As shown, blindcavity 426 is cross-shaped 454, but may be any desired shape. Forexample, cross-shaped protrusion 416 on front surface 418 of baseportion 412 may engage with a recess in cross-shaped cavity 454 in rearsurface 428 of trap portion 420 to removably attach trap portion 420 tobase portion 412. In this configuration, therefore, trap portion 420mounts in front of base portion 412.

In the operation of insect trap 410, base portion 412 is plugged into anelectrical wall socket and trap portion 420 is mounted in front of baseportion 412. Light from LEDs 414 transmit into cross-shaped cavity 454in rear surface 428 of trap portion 420. In some embodiments, light isnot manipulated in base portion 412 and is emitted directly into trapportion 420. A portion of the light continues within the translucent ortransparent walls of trap portion 420, diffusing the light and spreadingit evenly within trap portion 420 and through inside surfaces 422.Another portion of the light continues through the rear wall of trapportion 420 and into the interior 430 of trap portion 420, where itilluminates inside surfaces 422. A portion of the light entering trapportion 420 continues through opening 424 and into the room where insecttrap 410 is installed.

Insects in the room are attracted to the light transmitted throughopening 424, and fly or crawl into opening 424 and onto inside surfaces422, where they become stuck in the adhesive and are trapped. The usermay observe trapped insects by looking through opening 424. When asufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user may easilyremove and discard the entire used trap portion 420 without touching thetrapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out of reachinside trap portion 420, and replace it with a new trap portion 420. Thenew trap portion 420 has fresh adhesive-coated inside surfaces 422, aclean cross-shaped cavity 426 in rear surface 428 through which thelight is transmitted into trap portion 420, and the transparent ortranslucent material of trap portion 420 has not been degraded byprolonged exposure to UV light from LEDs 414, thereby ensuring thatinsect trap 410 will continue to efficiently and effectively attract andtrap insects.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 410 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 420. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 420. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., trap portion 420 and insidesurfaces 422). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces an evendistribution of light on an adhesive surface or adhesive coating. Insome embodiments, light is manipulated to produce a predeterminedpattern on the adhesive coating or within trap portion 420, for example,an even distribution, an even distribution with hot spots of higherintensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 410 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 420 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 412, each trap portion 420 being uniquely configured to attractand trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. For example,the overall size and shape of trap portion 420, and the size, shape,location and orientation of opening 424 in trap portion 420, may beuniquely configured to attract and trap a specific species or multiplespecies of insects. For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 420is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 420 is approximately 20mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 420 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 412 is approximately 10 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 412 is 10 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 412 is10 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 424 may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes.For example, opening 424 may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonaland/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 424 may be slotshaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern. Whenopening 424 is circular, opening 424 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 424 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 424 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening424 is slot shaped, opening 424 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mm wideand 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening 424 isapproximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In someembodiments, slot shaped opening 424 is approximately 2 mm to 15 mm wideand 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 424 covers all or a portion of trap portion420. For example, opening 424 may cover a range of approximately 1% to75% of the surface area of trap portion 420. In some embodiments,opening 424 covers approximately 5% to 50% of the surface area of trapportion 420. In some embodiments, opening 424 covers approximately 10%to 30% of the surface area of trap portion 420.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view and FIG. 13 is a rear perspectiveview showing a fifth embodiment of an insect trap, indicated generallyat 510. Insect trap 510 includes a base portion 512 and a removable trapportion 514. Base portion 512 includes a housing 516 with a top opening518 on its top surface 560 to receive trap portion 514, at least onefront opening 520 on its front surface 562, and a plurality ofelectrically conductive prongs 522 on its rear surface 564, adapted tomount insect trap 510 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 510 byinserting into a standard household electrical wall socket.Alternatively, base portion 512 may be configured to sit or hangwherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown) mounted inbase portion 512. While an electrical socket has been described asproviding power to insect trap 510, any suitable power source may beused. Front opening 520 may be configured to admit a wide variety ofinsects into insect trap 510, or alternatively it may be configured toadmit one or more specific insect species. Front opening 520 may beconfigured to prevent user’s fingers from penetrating front opening 520and inadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 514. Front opening 520 may preferably have a sizeand shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through frontopening 520, and front opening 520 may preferably have a size and shapesuch that a sphere 1 mm in diameter may pass through any portion offront opening 520. Front opening 520 may be of uniform or of varyingwidth, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 514 has more than onefront opening 520, they may be of identical or of differing widths,shapes and orientations. In some embodiments, base portion 512 isinjection molded of opaque plastic, although other materials andconstruction techniques could also be used.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of insect trap 510. Trap portion 514is shown partially removed from base portion 512 in this view. Trapportion 514 may include a housing 524 with at least one opening 526 anda tab 528 adapted for removing and replacing trap portion 514. Trapportion 514 may be removed by grasping tab 528 and lifting trap portion514 out of housing 516 of base portion 512. Opening 526 in trap portion514 may correspond to front opening 520 in base portion 512 with respectto size, shape, orientation and location, so that they may align whentrap portion 514 is mounted into base portion 512. In such embodiments,trap portion 514 may be viewed as an inner sleeve or pocket and baseportion 512 may be viewed as an outer sleeve, where the inner sleeve canbe dropped or inserted into the outer sleeve by a user.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of trap portion 514. Trap portion514 is shown partially cut away in this view. Housing 524 may includeinside surfaces 530 coated with translucent or transparent adhesive. Asshown, housing 524 includes ribs 532 or other features that increase theadhesive-coated surface area, produce alternating light/dark regionsthat some insect species find attractive, and enhance the transmissionof insect-attracting light into the interior of trap portion 514. Insome embodiments, trap portion 514 is thermoformed of translucent ortransparent sheet plastic, in two separate pieces, or in a ‘clamshell’configuration, in which the two sides are joined at one side and foldedtogether, although trap portion 514 could also be injection molded oftranslucent or transparent plastic or constructed of translucent paperor of other materials. In some embodiments, the material and thicknessof trap portion 514 and the material and thickness of the adhesive areselected to transmit a substantial proportion of light, for examplegreater than 60% of light is transmitted through trap portion 514 andthe adhesive coating. The materials of trap portion 514 may also includeone or more insect attractants. For example, trap portion 514 may beimpregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that increases the insect-attractingefficiency of insect trap 510. In such embodiments, the insectattractant is integral to trap portion 514. Alternatively, the insectattractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown) that mountson inside surfaces 530 of housing 524 or through opening 526 in housing524. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable by an insectfor approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 510.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 510. In someembodiments, base portion 512 includes a circuit board 534 having aprogrammable processor or chip (not shown) for executing commands,electrically connected to conductive prongs 522, only one of which isshown, and a lighting element such as one or more LEDs 536, only one ofwhich is shown. In some embodiments, LEDs 536 include one that emitsultraviolet (UV) light and one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 536 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs536 include at least one that emits infrared (IR) light to betterattract certain species of insects such as mosquitos and fleas. Forclarity, not all of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board534 may include electronic circuitry to receive any household currentfrom conductive prongs 522 and provide power to LEDs 536. Alternatively,circuit board 534 may be configured to receive power from batteries (notshown) mounted in base portion 512. While an electrical socket andbatteries have been described as providing power to insect trap 510, anysuitable power source may be used. Circuit board 534 may include a fullwave rectifier circuit or any other circuit to provide steady voltage toLEDs 536, although it could also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 536to provide a flickering light, which mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of mammals) to 270 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency known to attract male houseflies), may be desirableand the lighting element may be configured to flicker within this range.Circuit board 534 may provide power to LEDs 536 to provide UV and /orvisible and/or IR light, although it could be configured to providepower to only the UV LEDs 536 or to only the visible light LEDs 536, orto provide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UVand/or visible and/or IR light. In some embodiments, circuit board 534may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as apiezoelectric speaker or other device that may be mounted in baseportion 512 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes,midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more of insect call,reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 510. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1 meter distance from insect trap 510.

In the operation of insect trap 510, conductive prongs 522 are insertedinto a wall electrical socket. LEDs 536 emit light, represented byarrows, preferably UV and visible light, which transmit though a rearsurface 538 of housing 524 of trap portion 514. In some embodiments,light is not manipulated in base portion 512 and is emitted directlyinto trap portion 514. A portion of the light continues within theenclosure, up one or more sides 572 of housing 524, and out throughinside surfaces 530. Another portion of the light continues through wallof housing 524 and into the enclosure, where it illuminates insidesurfaces 530. A portion of the light entering the enclosure continuesthrough opening 526 in trap portion 514 and corresponding front opening520 in base portion and is emitted into the area where insect trap 510is installed. Insects in the area are attracted to the light transmittedthrough opening 526 in trap portion 514 and front opening 520 in baseportion 512, and fly or crawl into front opening 520 and onto the insidesurfaces 530 of trap portion 514, where they become stuck in theadhesive and are trapped. The user may observe trapped insects bylooking through front opening 520 and opening 526. When a sufficientnumber of insects have been trapped, the user may easily remove anddiscard the entire used trap portion 514 without touching trappedinsects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out of reach insidetrap portion 514, and replace it with a new trap portion 514. New trapportion 514 has fresh adhesive coating inside surfaces 530, housing 524has a clean rear surface 538, through which the light is transmittedinto trap portion 514, and the transparent or translucent material oftrap portion 514 has not been degraded by prolonged exposure to UV lightfrom LEDs 536, thereby ensuring that insect trap 510 will continue toefficiently and effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 514 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 512, insect trap 510 protrudes minimally fromthe wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 510 is configured such that when insect trap510 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 510 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 510 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 514. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 514. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., housing 516 and inside surfaces530). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces an evendistribution of light on an adhesive surface or adhesive coating. Insome embodiments, light is manipulated to produce a predeterminedpattern on the adhesive coating or within trap portion 514, for example,an even distribution, an even distribution with hot spots of higherintensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers are used. Generally, the thicknessof such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01 mm to 1 mm.In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the range ofapproximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately 0.1mm being most often used.

In some embodiments, trap portion 514 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments,trap portion 514 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mmhigh and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 514 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 512 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 512 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 512 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 526 and front opening 520 may be a varietyof shapes and/or sizes. For example, opening 526 and front opening 520may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonal and/or elliptical inshape. Alternatively, opening 526 and front opening 520 may be slotshaving straight, curved or undulating shapes or patterns. When opening526 and front opening 520 are circular, opening 526 and front opening520 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30 mm in diameter. In someembodiments, circular opening 526 and circular front opening 520 areapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 526 and circular front opening 520 are approximately 0.5 mm to15 mm in diameter. When opening 526 and front opening 520 are slotshaped, opening 526 and front opening 526 may be approximately 2 mm to30 mm wide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shapedopening 526 and slot shaped front opening 520 are approximately 2 mm to20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shapedopening 526 and slot shaped front opening 520 are approximately 2 mm to15 mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 526 covers all or a portion of frontsurface 562 of housing 516. For example, opening 526 may cover a rangeof approximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front surface 562 ofhousing 516. In some embodiments, opening 526 covers approximately 5% to50% of the surface area of front surface 562 of housing 516. In someembodiments, opening 526 covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surfacearea of front surface 562 of housing 516.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 610. Insect trap 610 includes a baseportion 612 and a removable trap portion 614. Trap portion 614 is shownremoved from base portion 612 in this view. In some embodiments, baseportion 612 includes a switch 616, configurable to enable insect trap610 to be turned on or off by closing or opening switch 616, as desiredby the user. Alternatively, switch 616 may be configured to controlother features such as light intensity, combinations of lightwavelengths, different modes or frequencies of flickering light, anautomatic setting that turns on when the room gets dark, or a remotecontrol setting, for example. In some embodiments, switch 616 may bemanually operated, although switch 616 may also be operatedelectrically, optically, electro-mechanically, electro-optically, or byany method for opening or closing switch 616. Trap portion 614 includesa front housing 618 with at least one opening 620 in a front surface652.

Opening 620 may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects intoinsect trap 610, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one ormore specific insect species. Opening 620 may preferably be configuredto prevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 620 and inadvertentlytouching trapped insects or adhesive when removing and replacing trapportion 614. Opening 620 may preferably have a size and shape such thata sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 620, and opening620 may preferably have a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter may pass through any portion of opening 620. Opening 620 may beof uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 614 has more than one opening 620, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 620 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species. Protruding from a rear surface 670 (shown in FIG. 18) of base portion 612 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs622, only one of which is shown, adapted to mount insect trap 610 to awall and provide power to insect trap 610 by inserting conductive prongs622 into a standard household electrical wall socket. Alternatively,base portion 612 may be configured to sit or hang wherever desired andreceive power from batteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 612.While an electrical socket and batteries have been described asproviding power to insect trap 610, any suitable power source may beused. Base portion 612 includes a lighting element such as one or moreLEDs 624 and a rear housing 626, which includes a reflective-coatedinside surface 628. In some embodiments, LEDs 624 include one that emitsultraviolet (UV) light and one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 624 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs624 include at least one that emits infrared (IR) light to betterattract certain species of insects such as mosquitos and fleas. In someembodiments, the material and surface finish of rear housing 626 may beconfigured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible and/or IR lightwithout a reflective coating. As shown, base portion 612 includes atransparent or translucent window 630, shown partially cut away toreveal LEDs 624. Window 630 protects inside surface 628 of rear housing626 and LEDs 624 from dust and insect debris and allows base portion 612to be easily cleaned. Window 630 may also be configured to polarizelight transmitted through it in an orientation similar to that ofdaylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of which areknown to detect polarized light. Window 630 may be attached at itsperimeter (not shown) to rear housing 626 by any suitable manufacturingtechnique such as gluing or ultrasonic welding. In some embodiments,window 630 is removably attached to rear housing 626. Base portion 612includes at least one opening 632. In some embodiments, on a perimeter672 of a top surface 634 of base portion 612 is an upwardly directed rimor protrusions 636.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of insect trap 610. Trap portion 614includes front housing 618 with opening 620 and a back plate 638, whichmay be constructed of transparent or translucent material and coatedwith a transparent or translucent adhesive 640 on a front surface 642.In some embodiments, the material and thickness of back plate 638 andthe material and thickness of adhesive 640 are selected to transmit asubstantial proportion of the UV and/or visible and/or IR light, forexample greater than 60% of the light is transmitted through back plate638 and adhesive 640. In some embodiments, front housing 618 of trapportion 614 and rear housing 626 of base portion 612 are thermoformedfrom opaque plastic sheet, although other opaque, transparent ortranslucent materials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulpmay also be used. In some embodiments, front housing 618 and rearhousing 626 are constructed by injection molding or by other suitablemanufacturing techniques. Back plate 638 may also be configured topolarize light transmitted through it in an orientation similar to thatof daylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of whichare known to detect polarized light. Back plate 638 may have a rearsurface (not shown), and may be substantially planar, although it may beformed into a convex, concave or saddle-shaped contour, or a combinationof contours to optimize the even distribution of light. Alternatively,back plate 638 may have ribs or other features that increase theadhesive-coated surface area, produce alternating light/dark regionsthat some insect species find attractive, and enhance the transmissionof insect-attracting light into trap portion 614. In some embodiments,front housing 618 is coated with transparent, translucent or opaqueadhesive on an inside surface to provide additional insect trappingefficiency and capacity. In addition, front housing 618 may also have areflective coating (not shown) underneath the adhesive coating on itsinside surface to enhance its attraction to insects and further improvethe insect trapping efficiency and effectiveness. Front housing 618 andback plate 638 may be joined together where they engage with adhesive,although they may also be joined by other commonly used packagingassembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing, or anyother suitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion 614 mayalso include one or more insect attractants. For example, trap portion614 may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants includingbrevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol,japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure,sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure,cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure,homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteran attractantssuch as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromones includingcodlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, andostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol,and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that increases theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 610. In such embodiments,the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 610. Alternatively,the insect attractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown)that mounts on inside surface of front housing 618 or through opening620 in front housing 618 or on front surface 642 of back plate 638. Itis desirable for such attractants to be detectable by an insect forapproximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 610.

As shown, front housing 618 and back plate 638 form a front enclosure644 in trap portion 614, and rear housing 626 and window 630 form a rearenclosure 646 in base portion 612. In some embodiments, base portion 612includes a circuit board 648 having a programmable processor or chip(not shown) for executing commands, electrically connected to conductiveprongs 622, switch 616 and LEDs 624, only one of which is shown. Forclarity, however, not all of the electrical connections are shown.Circuit board 648 may include electronic circuitry to receive ordinaryhousehold current from conductive prongs 622, only one of which isshown, respond to the position of switch 616 and provide power toilluminate LEDs 624. Circuit board 648 may include a full wave rectifiercircuit or any other circuit to provide steady voltage to LEDs 624,although it could also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 624 to providea flickering light, which mimics movement that some insect species,including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, light flickeringfrequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic thebreathing rate of mammals) to 270 Hz (e.g., the highest flickerfrequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and the lightingelement may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuit board648 may provide power to LEDs 624 to provide both UV and visible light,although it could be configured to provide power to only UV LEDs 624 orto only visible light LEDs 624, or to only IR light LEDs 624, or toprovide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UV and/orvisible and/or IR light. In some embodiments, circuit board 648 may alsobe configured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as apiezoelectric speaker or other device that may be mounted in baseportion 612 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes,midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more of insect call,reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 610. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 610.

As shown, rim or protrusions 636 on top surface 634 of base portion 612engage with trap portion 614 to secure it in place during use, althoughany other form of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion614 to be securely but removably mounted to base portion 612.

In the operation of insect trap 610, conductive prongs 622 are insertedinto a wall electrical socket, and switch 616 is moved to a closedposition. LEDs 624 emit light, preferably UV and visible light,represented by arrows, which transmit through opening 632 in baseportion 612, into rear enclosure 646, and onto inside surface 628 ofrear housing 626 and rear surface 650 of window 630. In someembodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 612 and is emitteddirectly into trap portion 614. Inside surface 628 of rear housing 626may include a concave shape and may be configured to reflect anddisperse the light from LEDs 624 to distribute the light evenly ontorear surface 650 of window 630, although inside surface 628 of rearhousing 626 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or a combinationof shapes, or may also have ribs or other features to more evenlydistribute the light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as ananamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens or combination of lensesconfigured to distribute light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 650 of window 630,may be mounted to base portion 612 at or near opening 632 in baseportion 612, and may replace or augment the role of inside surface 628of rear housing 626. Alternatively, the light from LEDs 624 may directlystrike rear surface 650 of window 630 at an oblique angle (e.g., anacute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and be spread across andthrough window 630 of base portion 612 and onto back plate 638 of trapportion 614, and may replace or augment the role of inside surface 628of rear housing 626 or of the lens or lenses mounted to base portion612. The light transmits through back plate 638 and adhesive 640 onfront surface 642, and into front enclosure 644. The light may befurther evenly distributed by light-diffusing properties of window 630of base portion 612, back plate 638 of trap portion 614, adhesive 640 onfront surface 642 of back plate 638, or any combination of window 630,back plate 638 and adhesive 640. A portion of the light entering frontenclosure 644 continues through opening 620 in front housing 618 and isemitted into the area where insect trap 610 is installed. Insects areattracted to the light transmitted through adhesive 640 and throughopening 620 in front housing 618, and fly or crawl through opening 620and onto adhesive 640, where they become trapped. The user may observetrapped insects by looking through opening 620 in front housing 618.When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user mayeasily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 614 withouttouching trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out ofreach inside trap portion 614, and replace it with a new trap portion614. The new trap portion 614 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces,ensuring that insect trap 610 will continue to efficiently andeffectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 614 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 612, insect trap 610 protrudes minimally fromthe wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 610 is configured such that when insect trap610 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 610 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 610 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 614. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 614. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 628, window 630,back plate 638 and adhesive 640). In some embodiments, lightmanipulation produces an even distribution of light on adhesive 640. Insome embodiments, light is manipulated to produce a predeterminedpattern on adhesive 640 or within trap portion 614, for example, an evendistribution, an even distribution with hot spots of higher intensity,hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 610 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 614 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 612, each trap portion 614 being uniquely configured to attractand trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. For example,the overall size and shape of trap portion 614, and the size, shape,location and orientation of opening 620 in front housing 618 of trapportion 614, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap a specificspecies or multiple species of insects. For example, in someembodiments, trap portion 614 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 614 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm highand 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 614 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 612 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 612 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 612 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 620 may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes.For example, opening 620 may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonaland/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 620 may be a slothaving straight, curved or undulating shapes or patterns. When opening620 is circular, opening 620 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30 mm indiameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 620 is approximately 0.5mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 620 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening 620 is slotshaped, opening 620 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mm wide and 5 mm to500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening 620 isapproximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In someembodiments, slot shaped opening 620 is approximately 2 mm to 15 mm wideand 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 620 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 618. For example, opening 620 may cover a range of approximately1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 618. In some embodiments,opening 620 covers approximately 5% to 50% of the surface area of fronthousing 618. In some embodiments, opening 620 covers approximately 10%to 30% of the surface area of front housing 618.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 710, and FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of aportion of FIG. 19 . Insect trap 710 includes a base portion 712 and aremovable trap portion 714. As shown, base portion 712 includes a switch716, configurable to enable insect trap 710 to be turned on or off byclosing or opening switch 716, as desired by the user. Alternatively,switch 716 may be configured to control other features such as lightintensity, combinations of light wavelengths, different modes orfrequencies of flickering light, an automatic setting that turns on whenthe room gets dark, or a remote control setting, for example. Switch 716may be manually operated, although switch 716 may also be operatedelectrically, optically, electro-mechanically, electro-optically, or byany method for opening or closing switch 716. Protruding from a rearsurface 770 of base portion 712 are a plurality of electricallyconductive prongs 718 (only one of which is shown in this view) adaptedto mount insect trap 710 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 710by inserting conductive prongs 718 into a standard household electricalwall socket. Alternatively, base portion 712 may be configured to sit orhang wherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown)mounted in base portion 712. While an electrical socket and batterieshave been described as providing power to insect trap 710, any suitablepower source may be used. In some embodiments, a slot 722 is located ina top surface 720 of base portion 712, and an upwardly directed rim orprotrusions 724 are located on a perimeter of top surface 720.

Trap portion 714 includes a front housing 726 with at least one opening728 in a front surface 754, a divider 730, a rear housing 736, alighting element such as one or more LEDs 740 (only one of which isshown), and electrical trap contacts 742. Opening 728 in front housing726 may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects into insecttrap 710, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one or morespecific insect species. Opening 728 may preferably be configured toprevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 728 and inadvertentlytouching trapped insects or adhesive when removing and replacing trapportion 714. Opening 728 may preferably have a size and shape such thata sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 728. Opening 728may preferably have a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diametermay pass through any portion of opening 728. Opening 728 may be ofuniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trap portion714 has more than one opening 728, they may be of identical or ofdiffering widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 728 may be configuredto attract one or more individual species or a variety of insectspecies. In some embodiments, divider 730 is constructed fromtransparent or translucent material and is coated with a transparent ortranslucent adhesive 732 on a front surface 734. In some embodiments,the material and thickness of divider 730 and the material and thicknessof adhesive 732 are selected to transmit a substantial proportion oflight, for example greater than 60% of the light is transmitted throughdivider 730 and adhesive 732. Divider 730 may also be configured topolarize light transmitted through it in an orientation similar to thatof daylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of whichare known to detect polarized light. In some embodiments, LEDs 740include one that emits ultraviolet (UV) light and one that emits visiblelight. In some embodiments, LEDs 740 include at least one that emits UVlight and at least one that emits blue light to better attract a widevariety of insect species. In some embodiments, the lighting elementemits a combination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In someembodiments, LEDs 740 include at least one that emits infrared (IR)light to better attract certain species of insects such as mosquitos andfleas. As shown, there are two trap contacts 742 for each of LEDs 740.Thus, trap contacts 742 are electrically connected to their respectiveLEDs 740. While two trap contacts 742 are shown for each of LEDs 740,any suitable number may be used.

In some embodiments, rear housing 736 includes a reflective-coatedinside surface 738. The material and surface finish of rear housing 736may alternatively be configured to reflect and disperse UV and/orvisible and/or IR light without a reflective coating. In someembodiments, front housing 726 and rear housing 736 are thermoformedfrom opaque sheet plastic, although other opaque, transparent ortranslucent materials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulpmay also be used. In some embodiments, front housing 726 and rearhousing 736 are constructed by injection molding or by other suitablemanufacturing techniques.

As shown, divider 730 may be substantially planar, and may be configuredto be parallel to, or at an angle to the primary direction of the lightproduced by LEDs 740, although divider 730 may be formed into a convex,concave or saddle-shaped contour, or a combination of contours tooptimize the even distribution of light. Alternatively, divider 730 mayinclude ribs or other features that increase the adhesive-coated surfacearea, produce alternating light/dark regions that some insect speciesfind attractive, and enhance the transmission of insect-attracting lightinto interior of trap portion 714. In some embodiments, front housing726 is coated with transparent, translucent or opaque adhesive on aninside surface to provide additional insect trapping efficiency andcapacity. In addition, front housing 726 may include a reflectivecoating underneath the adhesive coating on an inside surface to enhanceits attraction to insects and further improve the insect trappingefficiency and effectiveness. Front housing 726, divider 730 and rearhousing 736 may be joined together where they intersect or engage withadhesive, although they may also be joined by other commonly usedpackaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing,or any other suitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion 714may also include one or more insect attractants. For example, trapportion 714 may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractantsincluding brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol,ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin,oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants includingceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, andtrimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteranattractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromonesincluding codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure,and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyleugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent thatincreases the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 710. In suchembodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 714.Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in a separatepiece (not shown) that mounts on an inside surface of front housing 726or through opening 728 in front housing 726 or on front surface 734 ofdivider 730. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable by aninsect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 710. Asshown, divider 730 has a rear surface 752, and separates trap portion714 into a front enclosure 744 and a rear enclosure 746.

In some embodiments, base portion 712 includes electrical base contacts750 and a circuit board 748 having a programmable processor or chip (notshown) for executing commands, electrically connected to conductiveprongs 718, switch 716, and base contacts 750. For clarity, however, notall of the electrical connections are shown. While two base contacts 750are shown in base portion 712 for each of LEDs 740 in trap portion 714,any suitable number may be used. Base contacts 750 may be configured toprovide an electrical connection with trap contacts 742 when trapportion 714 is removably mounted to base portion 712. Circuit board 748may include electronic circuitry to receive ordinary household currentfrom conductive prongs 718, respond to the position of switch 716 andprovide power to base contacts 750, which, in turn, provide power totrap contacts 742 and illuminate LEDs 740 in trap portion 714 when trapportion 714 is mounted to base portion 712. In some embodiments, circuitboard 748 includes an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifiercircuit or any other circuit to provide steady voltage to LEDs 740,although it could also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 740 to providea flickering light, which mimics movement that some insect species,including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, light flickeringfrequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic thebreathing rate of mammals) to 270 Hz (e.g., the highest flickerfrequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and the lightingelement may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuit board748 may provide power to LEDs 740 to provide UV and/or visible and/or IRlight, although it could be configured to provide power to only UV LEDs740 or to only visible light LEDs 740 or to only IR LEDs 740, or toprovide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UV and/orvisible and/or IR light. In some embodiments, circuit board 748 may alsobe configured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as apiezoelectric speaker or other device that may be mounted in baseportion 712 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes,midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more of insect call,reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 710. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 710.

Slot 722 and protrusions 724 in top surface 720 of base portion 712 areconfigured to engage with trap portion 714 to secure it in place duringuse, although any other form of attachment may be substituted thatallows trap portion 714 to be securely but removably mounted to baseportion 712.

In the operation of insect trap 710, conductive prongs 718 are insertedinto a wall electrical socket, switch 716 is moved to a closed position,and trap portion 714 is mounted to base portion 712. LEDs 740 emitlight, represented by arrows, which transmit light into rear enclosure746, and onto inside surface 738 of rear housing 736 and rear surface752 of divider 730. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated inbase portion 712 and is emitted directly into trap portion 714. Insidesurface 738 of rear housing 736 may be a concave shape and configured toreflect and disperse light from LEDs 740 to distribute the light evenlyonto rear surface 752 of divider 730, although the shape of insidesurface 738 of rear housing 736 may have a convex shape or a saddleshape or a combination of shapes, or may also have ribs (not shown) orother features to more evenly distribute the light. Alternatively, anoptical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens (not shown) or any otherlens or combination of lenses configured to distribute light (e.g.,evenly, according to specific patterns, at a focal point, etc.) ontorear surface 752 of divider 730, may be mounted to rear housing 736proximate to or above LEDs 740 or may be mounted to LEDs 740, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface 738 of rear housing 736.Alternatively, the light from LEDs 740 may directly strike rear surface752 of divider 730 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle fromapproximately 0° to 90°) and may be spread across divider 730, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface 738 of rear housing 736,or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 736 or to LEDs 740. Thelight may transmit through divider 730 and adhesive 732 on front surface734, and into front enclosure 744. The light may be further evenlydistributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider 730, adhesive732 on front surface 734, or both. A portion of the light entering frontenclosure 744 continues through opening 728 in front housing 726 and isemitted into the area where insect trap 710 is installed. Insects areattracted to the light transmitted through adhesive 732 and throughopening 728 in front housing 726, and fly or crawl into opening 728 andonto adhesive 732, where they become trapped. The user may observetrapped insects by looking through opening 728 in front housing 726.When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user mayeasily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 714 withouttouching trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out ofreach inside trap portion 714, and replace it with a new trap portion714. The new trap portion 714 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces andlight-directing surfaces, ensuring that insect trap 710 will continue toefficiently and effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 714 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 712, insect trap 710 protrudes minimally fromthe wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 710 is configured such that when insect trap710 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 710 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 710 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 714. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 714. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 738, divider 730and adhesive 732). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on an adhesive surface or adhesive coating.In some embodiments, light is manipulated to produce a predeterminedpattern on the adhesive coating or within trap portion 714, for example,an even distribution, an even distribution with hot spots of higherintensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 710 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 714 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 712, each trap portion 714 being uniquely configured to attractand trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. For example,the overall size and shape of trap portion 714, the size, shape,location and orientation of opening 728 in front housing 726 of trapportion 714, and the wavelength and intensity of LEDs 740 may beuniquely configured to attract and trap a specific species or multiplespecies of insects. For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 714is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 714 is approximately 20mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 714 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 712 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 712 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 712 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 728 may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes.For example, opening 728 may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonaland/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 728 may be slotshaped having straight, curved or undulating shapes or patterns. Whenopening 728 is circular, opening 728 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 728 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 728 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening728 is slot shaped, opening 728 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mm wideand 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening 728 isapproximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. In someembodiments, slot shaped opening 728 is approximately 2 mm to 15 mm wideand 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 728 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 726. For example, opening 728 may cover a range of approximately1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 726. In some embodiments,opening 728 covers approximately 5% to 50% of the surface area of fronthousing 726. In some embodiments, opening 728 covers approximately 10%to 30% of the surface area of front housing 726.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of an eighth embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 810. Insect trap 810 includes a trapportion 814 and a base portion 812. Trap portion 814 is shown removedfrom base portion 812 in this view. In some embodiments, trap portion814 includes an engageable portion 818 protruding downward from a bottomsurface 850. However, engageable portion 818 does not need to protrudefrom trap portion 814. Engageable portion 818 may be a non-protrudingportion of a flush bottom surface of trap portion 814 that engages atleast partially with base portion 812. Base portion 812 may have acorresponding opening 824 (shown in FIG. 23 ) to receive engageableportion 818 when trap portion 814 is mounted to base portion 812.Opening 824 may preferably be configured such that the user’s fingercannot pass through opening 824. Opening 824 may preferably beconfigured such that a sphere 10 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 824. As shown, base portion 812 includes a switch 816.

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of insect trap 810 and FIG. 23 is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 22 . Base portion 812 may include acircuit board 822, a docking switch 820, and one or more LEDs 826, onlyone of which is shown. Although docking switch 820 is shown mounted oncircuit board 822, docking switch 820 may also be mounted directly tobase portion 812. In some embodiments, LEDs 826 may include one or morethat emits ultraviolet (UV) light and one or more that emits visiblelight to better attract a wide variety of insect species. In someembodiments, the lighting element emits a combination of wavelengths tomimic sunlight. In some embodiments, one or more of LEDs 826 may emitinfrared (IR) light to better attract certain types of insects such asmosquitos and fleas. In some embodiments, circuit board 822 has aprogrammable processor or chip (not shown) for executing commands, andis configured to provide power and instructions to desired components(e.g., switch 816, LEDs 826, etc.). For clarity, however, not all of theelectrical connections are shown. In some embodiments, circuit board 822includes a docking switch 820 mounted thereon.

Engageable portion 818 of trap portion 814 engages docking switch 820when trap portion 814 is mounted to base portion 812. Docking switch 820may be configured to close when engageable portion 818 of trap portion814 engages with it, as when trap portion 814 is mounted to base portion812, and may be configured to open when engageable portion 818 of trapportion 814 is lifted from docking switch 820, as when trap portion 814is removed from base portion 812. Docking switch 820 may be configuredto activate in response to force or pressure from engageable portion 818on trap portion 814. Alternatively, docking switch 820 may be configuredto activate in response to displacement by engageable portion 818 ontrap portion 814. Alternatively, docking switch 820 may be configured asan optical switch to close when a light beam is broken by the engageableportion 818 of trap portion 814, or may be configured as a Hall effectsensor to close when in proximity to a magnet on trap portion 814, ormay be configured as any other switch or sensor that opens or closeswhen trap portion 814 is mounted or removed from base portion 812.Docking switch 820 may be electrically connected to circuit board 822and/or switch 816 to deactivate UV and /or visible light and/or IR LEDs826 when trap portion 814 is removed from base portion 812, therebypreventing the user from looking directly at the UV and/or visibleand/or IR light from LEDs 826 as well as reducing energy consumption.Alternatively, docking switch 820 may be electrically connected tocircuit board 822 and/or switch 816 to deactivate only UV LEDs 826and/or IR LEDs 826 and/or visible light LEDs 826 when trap portion 814is removed from base portion 812.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a ninth embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 910. Insect trap 910 includes a trapportion 914 and a base portion 912. Trap portion 914 is shown removedfrom base portion 912 in this view. In some embodiments, trap portion914 includes an engageable portion 918 protruding downward from a bottomsurface (not shown). However, engageable portion 918 does not need toprotrude from trap portion 914. Engageable portion 918 may be anon-protruding portion of a flush bottom surface of trap portion 914that engages at least partially with base portion 912. Base portion 912may have a corresponding opening 924 (shown in FIG. 26 ), to receiveengageable portion 918 when trap portion 914 is mounted to base portion912. Opening 924 may preferably be configured such that a user’s fingercannot pass through opening 924. Opening 924 may preferably beconfigured such that a sphere 10 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 924. As shown, base portion 912 may also have a switch 916.

FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of insect trap 910 and FIG. 26 is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25 . Base portion 912 may include acircuit board 922, a docking switch 920, and one or more LEDs 926, onlyone of which is shown. Although docking switch 920 is shown mounted oncircuit board 922, docking switch 920 may also be mounted directly tobase portion 912. In some embodiments, LEDs 926 may include one or morethat emits ultraviolet (UV) light and one or more that emits visiblelight, preferably blue light to better attract a wide variety of insectspecies. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits a combinationof wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, one or more ofLEDs 926 may emit infrared (IR) light to better attract certain types ofinsects such as mosquitos and fleas. In some embodiments, circuit board922 has a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, and is configured to provide power and instructions to desiredcomponents (e.g., switch 916, LEDs 926, etc.). For clarity, however, notall of the electrical connections are shown. Base portion 912 mayinclude a screen 928. Engageable portion 918 on trap portion 914 engagesdocking switch 920 when trap portion 914 is mounted to base portion 912.Docking switch 920 may be configured to close when engageable portion918 on trap portion 914 engages with it, as when trap portion 914 ismounted to base portion 912, and may be configured to open whenengageable portion 918 of trap portion 914 is lifted from docking switch920, as when trap portion 914 is removed from base portion 912. Dockingswitch 920 may be configured to activate in response to force orpressure from engageable portion 918 on trap portion 914. Alternatively,docking switch 920 may be configured to activate in response todisplacement by engageable portion 918 on trap portion 914.Alternatively, docking switch 920 may be configured as an optical switchto close when a light beam is broken by engageable portion 918 of trapportion 914, or may be configured as a Hall effect sensor to close whenin proximity to a magnet on trap portion 914, or may be configured asany other switch or sensor that opens or closes when trap portion 914 ismounted or removed from base portion 912. Docking switch 920 may beelectrically connected to circuit board 922 and/or switch 916. Circuitboard 922 may be electrically connected to one or more UV and/or visiblelight and/or IR LEDs 926, only one of which is shown, and may also beelectrically connected to screen 928, and may activate screen 928 whendocking switch 920 is closed. In some embodiments, screen 928 may useliquid crystal (LC) technology and be configured to block all or aportion of the light from UV and/or visible and/or IR light LEDs 926when screen 928 is activated, thereby preventing the user from lookingdirectly at the UV and/or visible and/or IR light from LEDs 926 as wellas reducing energy consumption. In some embodiments, when activated,screen 928 may be configured to block all or a portion of the light fromonly UV LEDs 926, or all or a portion of the light from only visiblelight LEDs 926, or all or a portion of the light from only IR LEDs 926,or any combination of UV, visible light, and IR LEDs 926. In someembodiments, screen 928 may use an electric motor, or a solenoid, or amagnetostrictive actuator, or a piezoelectric actuator, or one or moreof a variety of electromechanical methods to close a shutter and blockall or a portion of the light from UV LEDs 926, or the light fromvisible light LEDs 926, or the light from IR LEDs 926, or the light fromany combination of UV, visible light, and IR LEDs 926. Alternatively,screen 928 may be configured to be actuated mechanically by engageableportion 918 of trap portion 914 to close a shutter in screen 928 andblock all or a portion of the light from UV and/or visible light and/orIR LEDs 926 when trap portion 914 is removed from base portion 912.

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a tenth embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 1010. Insect trap 1010 includes a baseportion 1012 and a removable trap portion 1014. Trap portion 1014 isshown removed from base portion 1012 in this view. Trap portion 1014includes a front housing 1018 with at least one opening 1020 in a frontsurface 1058. Opening 1020 in front housing 1018 may be configured toadmit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 1010, or alternativelyit may be configured to admit one or more specific insect species. Insome embodiments, opening 1020 is configured to prevent the user’sfingers from penetrating opening 1020 and inadvertently touching trappedinsects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 1014. Insome embodiments, opening 1020 has a size and shape such that a sphere25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 1020, and has a size andshape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portionof opening 1020. Opening 1020 may be of uniform or of varying width,shape and orientation, and if trap portion 1014 has more than oneopening 1020, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 1020 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species.

Protruding from a rear surface 1060 (shown in FIG. 28 ) of base portion1012 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 1022, adapted tomount insect trap 1010 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 1010by inserting conductive prongs 1022 into a standard household electricalwall socket. Alternatively, base portion 1012 may be configured to sitor hang wherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown)mounted in base portion 1012. While an electrical socket and batterieshave been described as providing power to insect trap 1010, any suitablepower source may be used. Base portion 1012 includes a lighting elementsuch as one or more LEDs 1024. In some embodiments, base portion 1012includes an array of LEDs 1024. As shown, LEDs 1024 are configured in a2 by 3 array of blue and UV LEDS 1024, although different arrayconfigurations with different numbers and arrangements (e.g., a 3 by 2array or a 4 by 3 array or a 1 by 2 array, for example) of LEDs 1024,LEDs 1024 emitting different wavelengths of light, and differentcombinations of LEDs 1024 emitting different wavelengths of light, couldalso be used. In some embodiments, LEDs 1024 include at least one thatemits UV light and at least one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 1024 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs1024 include at least one that emits infrared (IR) light to betterattract certain species of insects including mosquitos. Mounted in a topsurface 1026 of base portion 1012 may be a transparent or translucentwindow 1028, shown partially cut away to reveal LEDs 1024. Window 1028protects LEDs 1024 from dust and insect debris, and allows base portion1012 to be easily cleaned. In top surface 1026 may be a slot 1030, andon the perimeter of top surface 1026 is a rim or upwardly directedprotrusions 1032.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 1010. In someembodiments, the light emitted from each of LEDs 1024 has a primarydirection 1054. Trap portion 1014 includes a divider 1034 with a frontsurface 1038, and a rear housing 1040. In some embodiments, divider 1034is constructed from or includes a transparent or translucent materialand may be coated with a transparent or translucent adhesive 1036 onfront surface 1038. In some embodiments, divider 1034 is configured topolarize light transmitted through it in an orientation similar to thatof daylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of whichare known to detect polarized light. In some embodiments, the materialand thickness of divider 1034 and the material and thickness of adhesive1036 are selected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/orvisible and/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through divider 1034 and adhesive 1036. In some embodiments,rear housing 1040 includes a reflective-coated inside surface 1042.Alternatively, the material and surface finish of rear housing 1040 maybe configured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible and/or IR lightwithout a reflective coating. Rear housing 1040 may include an opening1044 on its bottom surface, or alternatively opening 1044 may bereplaced by a transparent or translucent window (not shown).

In some embodiments, front housing 1018 and rear housing 1040 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1018 and rear housing 1040 areconstructed by injection molding, casting or by other suitablemanufacturing techniques. As shown, divider 1034 is substantiallyplanar, and may be configured to be parallel to, or at an angle 1052 tothe primary direction 1054 of the light produced by one or more of LEDs1024. Angle 1052 may be an acute angle, and may preferably be from 0° to45° such that when insect trap 1010 is mounted to a wall, the top end ordistal end of divider 1034 (e.g., the end farther from base portion1012) is closer to the wall than its bottom or proximal end. In someembodiments, divider 1034 may be formed into a convex, concave orsaddle-shaped contour, or a combination of contours to optimize the evendistribution of light. In some embodiments, divider 1034 may have ribsor other features that increase adhesive surface area and create regionsof light/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety ofinsects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 1018 may be coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive on its inside surface to provideadditional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition, fronthousing 1018 may also have a reflective coating (not shown) underneaththe adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance its attraction toinsects and further improve the insect trapping efficiency andeffectiveness.

In some embodiments, front housing 1018, divider 1034 and rear housing1040 are joined together at where they intersect or engage by ultrasonicwelding or high frequency (HF) welding, although they may also bepermanently or removably joined together by gluing or by any othersuitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion 1014 may alsoinclude one or more insect attractants. For example, trap portion 1014may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants includingbrevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol,japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure,sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure,cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure,homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteran attractantssuch as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromones includingcodlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, andostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol,and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that furtherincreases the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1010. In suchembodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 1014.Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in a separatepiece (not shown) that mounts on an inside surface of front housing 1018or through opening 1020 in front housing 1018 or on front surface 1038of divider 1034. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectableby an insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 1010.Divider 1034 separates trap portion 1014 into a front enclosure 1046 anda rear enclosure 1048. In some embodiments, base portion 1012 includes acircuit board 1050 having a programmable processor or chip (not shown)for executing commands, electrically connected to conductive prongs1022, only one of which is shown, and LEDs 1024, only one of which isshown. For clarity, however, not all of the electrical connections areshown. Circuit board 1050 may include electronic circuitry to receiveordinary household current from conductive prongs 1022 and provide powerto illuminate LEDs 1024. Circuit board 1050 may include an energystabilizer such as a full wave rectifier circuit or any other circuitthat provides steady voltage to LEDs 1024, although it may also providea varying voltage to LEDs 1024 to provide a flickering light that mimicsmovement that some insect species, including mosquitoes, may findattractive. For example, light flickering frequencies in the approximaterange of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to250 Hz (e.g., the highest flicker frequency to attract male houseflies),may be desirable and the lighting element may be configured to flickerwithin this range. Circuit board 1050 may provide power to LEDs 1024 toprovide UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may be configuredto provide power to only UV LEDs 1024 or to only visible light LEDs 1024or to only IR LEDs 1024, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 1050 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 1012 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects such asmosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more ofinsect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1010. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1010.

As shown, slot 1030 in top surface 1026 of base portion 1012 andprotrusions 1032 on top surface 1026 of base portion 1012 engage withtrap portion 1014 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion 1014 tobe securely but removably mounted to base portion 1012.

In the operation of insect trap 1010, conductive prongs 1022 areinserted into a wall electrical socket. LEDs 1024 emit light,represented by arrows, preferably UV and visible light, which istransmitted through window 1028 in base portion 1012, through opening1044 in rear housing 1040 of trap portion 1014, into rear enclosure1048, and directly onto inside surface 1042 of rear housing 1040 and arear surface 1056 of divider 1034. For clarity, arrows representing thelight are only shown emitted from one of LEDs 1024. In some embodiments,light is not manipulated in base portion 1012 and is emitted directlyinto trap portion 1014. Inside surface 1042 of rear housing 1040 mayinclude a concave shape and may be configured to reflect and dispersethe light from LEDs 1024 to distribute the light evenly onto rearsurface 1056 of divider 1034, although inside surface 1042 of rearhousing 1040 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or a combinationof shapes, or may also have ribs or other features to more evenlydistribute the light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as ananamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens or combination of lensesconfigured to distribute the light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 1056 of divider1034, may be mounted to rear housing 1040 at or near opening 1044 or tobase portion 1012 at or near window 1028, and may replace or augment therole of inside surface 1042 of rear housing 1040. In some embodiments,the light from LEDs 1024 may directly strike rear surface 1056 ofdivider 1034 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle fromapproximately 0° to 90°) and be spread across divider 1034, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface 1042 of rear housing 1040or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 1040.

Thereafter, light transmits through divider 1034 and adhesive 1036 onfront surface 1038, and into front enclosure 1046. Light may be furtherevenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider 1034,adhesive 1036 on front surface 1038, or both. A portion of the lightentering front enclosure 1046 continues through opening 1020 in fronthousing 1018 and is emitted into the surrounding area where insect trap1010 is installed. Insects are attracted to the light emitted throughadhesive 1036 and through opening 1020 in front housing 1018, and fly orcrawl into opening 1020 and onto adhesive 1036, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening1020 in front housing 1018. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire usedtrap portion 1014 without touching the trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 1014, andreplace it with a new trap portion 1014. New trap portion 1014 has freshadhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuring thatinsect trap 1010 will continue to efficiently and effectively attractand trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1014 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1012, insect trap 1010 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1010 is configured such that when insect trap1010 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1010 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1010 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1014. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1014. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1042, divider 1034and adhesive 1036). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 1036. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1036 orwithin trap portion 1014, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1010 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1014 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1012, each trap portion 1014 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flying ornon-flying insect. For example, the overall size and shape of trapportion 1014, and the size, shape, location and orientation of opening1020 in front housing 1018 of trap portion 1014, may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species offlying insect.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 1014 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 1014 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 1014 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm highand 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1012 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1012 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1012 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1020 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1020 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1020 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1020 is circular, opening 1020 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1020 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1020 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1020 is slot shaped, opening 1020 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1020 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1020 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1020 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1018. For example, opening 1020 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1018. Insome embodiments, opening 1020 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1018. In some embodiments, opening 1020covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1018.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1110. Insect trap 1110 includes abase portion 1112 and a removable trap portion 1114. Trap portion 1114is shown removed from base portion 1112 in this view. In someembodiments, base portion 1112 includes a switch 1116, configurable toenable insect trap 1110 to be turned on or off by closing or openingswitch 1116 as desired by the user. Alternatively, switch 1116 may beconfigured to control other features such as light intensity,combinations of light wavelengths, different modes or frequencies offlickering light, an automatic setting that turns on insect trap 1110when the room gets dark, or a remote control setting, for example. Insome embodiments, switch 1116 may be manually operated, although switch1116 may also be operated electrically, optically, electro-mechanically,electro-optically, or by any method for opening or closing switch 1116.Trap portion 1114 may include a front housing 1118 with at least oneopening 1120 in a front surface 1132. Opening 1120 may be configured toadmit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 1110, or alternativelyit may be configured to admit one or more specific insect species.Opening 1120 may preferably be configured to prevent user’s fingers frompenetrating opening 1120 and inadvertently touching trapped insects oradhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 1114. Opening 1120 maypreferably have a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diametercannot pass through opening 1120, and opening 1120 may preferably have asize and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through anyportion of opening 1120. Opening 1120 may be of uniform or of varyingwidth, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 1114 has more than oneopening 1120, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 1120 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. Protrudingfrom a rear surface 1152 (shown in FIG. 30 ) of base portion 1112 are aplurality of electrically conductive prongs 1122, only one of which isshown, adapted to mount insect trap 1110 to a wall and provide power toinsect trap 1110 by inserting conductive prongs 1122 into a standardhousehold electrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 1112 maybe configured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 1112. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 1110, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion 1112includes a top surface 1134, and a rear housing 1126, which includes areflective-coated inside surface 1128. In some embodiments, the materialand surface finish of rear housing 1126 may be configured to reflect anddisperse UV and/or visible light without a reflective coating. Mountedin rear housing 1126 of base portion 1112 is a lighting element such asone or more LEDs 1124. In some embodiments, the lighting elementincludes an array of LEDs 1124, including at least one that emits UVlight and at least one that emits visible light. In some embodiments,LEDs 1124 include at least one that emits UV light and at least one thatemits blue light to better attract a wide variety of insect species. Insome embodiments, the lighting element emits a combination ofwavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs 1124 include atleast one that emits infrared (IR) light to better attract certainspecies of insects such as mosquitos and fleas.

As shown, base portion 1112 includes a transparent or translucent window1130, shown partially cut away to reveal LEDs 1124. Window 1130 has arear surface 1150 (shown in FIG. 30 ), and protects inside surface 1128of rear housing 1126 and LEDs 1124 from dust and insect debris and mayallow base portion 1112 to be easily cleaned. Window 1130 may also beconfigured to polarize light transmitted through it in an orientationsimilar to that of daylight to further attract flying insects, a widevariety of which are known to detect polarized light. Window 1130 may beattached at its perimeter to rear housing 1126 by any suitablemanufacturing technique such as gluing or ultrasonic welding. In someembodiments, window 1130 is removably attached to rear housing 1126. Insome embodiments, on a perimeter 1154 of top surface 1134 of baseportion 1112 is an upwardly directed rim or protrusions 1136.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of insect trap 1110. Trap portion 1114includes a back plate 1138 with a front surface 1142. Back plate 1138may be constructed of transparent or translucent material and coatedwith a transparent or translucent adhesive 1140 on front surface 1142.Back plate 1138 may also be configured to polarize light transmittedthrough it in an orientation similar to that of daylight to furtherattract flying insects. In some embodiments, the material and thicknessof back plate 1138 and the material and thickness of adhesive 1140 areselected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through back plate 1138 and adhesive 1140. In someembodiments, front housing 1118 of trap portion 1114 and rear housing1126 of base portion 1112 are thermoformed from opaque sheet plastic,although other opaque, transparent or translucent materials such aspaper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also be used. In someembodiments, front housing 1118 and rear housing 1126 are constructed byinjection molding or by other suitable manufacturing techniques. Backplate 1138 may be substantially planar, although it may be formed into aconvex, concave or saddle-shaped contour, or a combination of contoursto optimize the even distribution of light. Alternatively, back plate1138 may have ribs or other features that increase the adhesive-coatedsurface area, produce alternating light/dark regions that some insectspecies find attractive, and enhance the transmission ofinsect-attracting light into trap portion 1114. In some embodiments,front housing 1118 is coated with transparent, translucent or opaqueadhesive on an inside surface to provide additional insect trappingefficiency and capacity. In addition, front housing 1118 may also have areflective coating (not shown) underneath the adhesive coating on itsinside surface to enhance its attraction to insects and further improvethe insect trapping efficiency and effectiveness. Front housing 1118 andback plate 1138 may be joined together where they engage with adhesive,although they may also be joined by other commonly used packagingassembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing, or anyother suitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion 1114 mayalso include one or more insect attractants. For example, trap portion1114 may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants includingbrevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol,japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure,sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure,cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure,homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteran attractantssuch as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromones includingcodlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, andostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol,and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that may furtherincrease the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1110. In suchembodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 1114.Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in a separatepiece (not shown) that mounts on an inside surface of front housing 1118or through opening 1120 in front housing 1118 or on front surface 1142of back plate 1138. It is desirable for such attractants to bedetectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insecttrap 1110.

As shown, front housing 1118 and back plate 1138 form a front enclosure1144 in trap portion 1114, and rear housing 1126 and window 1130 form arear enclosure 1146 in base portion 1112. In some embodiments, baseportion 1112 includes a circuit board 1148, having a programmableprocessor or chip (not shown) for executing commands, electricallyconnected to conductive prongs 1122, switch 1116 and LEDs 1124 (only oneof which is shown). For clarity, however, not all of the electricalconnections are shown. Circuit board 1148 may include electroniccircuitry to receive ordinary household current from conductive prongs1122, only one of which is shown, respond to the position of switch 1116and provide power to illuminate LEDs 1124. Circuit board 1148 mayinclude an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifier circuit orany other circuit to provide steady voltage to LEDs 1124 when switch1116 is in the closed position, although it could also provide a varyingvoltage to LEDs 1124 to provide a flickering light which mimics movementthat some insect species, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. Forexample, light flickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of mammals) to 270 Hz (e.g., thehighest flicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirableand the lighting element may be configured to flicker within this range.Circuit board 1148 may provide power to LEDs 1124 to provide both UV andvisible light, although it could be configured to provide power only UVLEDs 1124 or to only visible light LEDs 1124 or to only IR LEDs 1124, orto provide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UVand/or visible and/or IR light. In some embodiments, circuit board 1148may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as apiezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may be mounted inbase portion 1112 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects, and mayinclude one or more of mosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and mayinclude one or more of insect call, reply, courtship and copulatorysongs. In some embodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emitrecorded and/or generated insect-attracting sounds or vibrations such asthe heartbeat of a mammal. For example, the transmitter or transceivermay emit an insect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in therange of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1110. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1110.

As shown, rim or protrusions 1136 on top surface 1134 of base portion1112 and window 1130 engage with trap portion 1114 to secure it in placeduring use, although any other form of attachment may be substitutedthat may allow trap portion 1114 to be securely but removably mounted onbase portion 1112.

In the operation of insect trap 1110, conductive prongs 1122 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and switch 1116 is moved to aclosed position. LEDs 1124 emit light, represented by arrows, whichtransmits directly onto rear surface 1150 of window 1130. In someembodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 1112 and isemitted directly into trap portion 1114. Inside surface 1128 of rearhousing 1126 may include a concave shape and may be configured toreflect and disperse the UV and visible light from LEDs 1124 todistribute the light evenly onto rear surface 1150 of window 1130,although inside surface 1128 of rear housing 1126 may have a convexshape or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or may also haveribs or other features to more evenly distribute the light. In someembodiments, LEDs 1124 are substantially perpendicular (e.g., configuredso that their primary direction of light is substantially perpendicular)to window 1130. The light transmits through back plate 1138 and adhesive1140 on front surface 1142, and into front enclosure 1144. The light maybe further evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties ofwindow 1130 of base portion 1112, back plate 1138 of trap portion 1114,adhesive 1140 on front surface 1142 of back plate 1138, or anycombination of window 1130, back plate 1138 and adhesive 1140. In someembodiments, a portion of the light entering front enclosure 1144continues through opening 1120 in front housing 1118 and is emitted intothe area where insect trap 1110 is installed. Insects are attracted tothe UV and/or visible light transmitted through adhesive 1140 andthrough opening 1120 in front housing 1118, and fly or crawl throughopening 1120 and onto adhesive 1140, where they become trapped. The usermay observe trapped insects by looking through opening 1120 in fronthousing 1118. When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, theuser may easily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 1114without touching the trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, whichremain out of reach inside trap portion 1114, and replace it with a newtrap portion 1114. New trap portion 1114 has fresh adhesive-coatedsurfaces, ensuring that insect trap 1110 will continue to efficientlyand effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1114 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1112, insect trap 1110 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1110 is configured such that when insect trap1110 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1110 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1110 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1114. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1114. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1128, window 1130,back plate 1138 and adhesive 1140). In some embodiments, lightmanipulation produces an even distribution of light on adhesive 1140. Insome embodiments, light is manipulated to produce a predeterminedpattern on adhesive 1140 or within trap portion 1114, for example, aneven distribution, an even distribution with hot spots of higherintensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1110 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1114 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1112, each trap portion 1114 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 1114, and the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 1120 in front housing 1118 oftrap portion 1114, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap aspecific species or multiple species of insects. For example, in someembodiments, trap portion 1114 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 1114 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm highand 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 1114 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1112 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1112 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1112 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1120 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1120 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1120 may bea slot having straight, curved or undulating shapes or patterns. Whenopening 1120 is circular, opening 1120 may be approximately 0.5 mm to 30mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1120 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1120 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1120 is slot shaped, opening 1120 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1120 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1120 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1120 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1118. For example, opening 1120 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1118. Insome embodiments, opening 1120 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1118. In some embodiments, opening 1120covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1118.

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of an insecttrap, indicated generally at 1210. Insect trap 1210 includes a baseportion 1212 and a removable trap portion 1214. Trap portion 1214 isshown partially cut away and removed from base portion 1212 in thisview. A front surface 1238 of base portion 1212 may include a switch1216, configurable to enable insect trap 1210 to be turned on or off byclosing or opening switch 1216 as desired by the user. Alternatively,switch 1216 may be configured to control other features such as lightintensity, combinations of light wavelengths, different modes orfrequencies of flickering light, an automatic setting that turns oninsect trap 1210 when the room gets dark, or a remote control setting,for example. Switch 1216 may preferably be manually operated, althoughswitch 1216 may also be operated electrically, optically,electro-mechanically, electro-optically, or by any method for opening orclosing switch 1216. Protruding from a rear surface 1242 (shown in FIG.32 ) of base portion 1212 are a plurality of electrically conductiveprongs 1222, adapted to mount insect trap 1210 to a wall and providepower to insect trap 1210 by inserting conductive prongs 1222 into astandard household electrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion1212 may be configured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive powerfrom batteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 1212. While anelectrical socket and batteries have been described as providing powerto insect trap 1210, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion1212 includes a lighting element such as one or more LEDs 1224. In someembodiments, LEDs 1224 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits visible light. In some embodiments, LEDs 1224include at least one that emits UV light and at least one that emitsblue light to better attract a wide variety of insect species. In someembodiments, the lighting element emits a combination of wavelengths tomimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs 1224 include at least one thatemits IR light to better attract certain species of insects includingmosquitos and fleas. In a top surface 1234 of base portion 1212 may beat least one opening 1232, and mounted in opening 1232 may be atransparent or translucent window 1230, shown partially cut away toreveal LEDs 1224. Window 1230 protects LEDs 1224 from dust and insectdebris and allows base portion 1212 to be easily cleaned. Also in topsurface 1234 may be a slot 1246, and on the perimeter of top surface1234 may be an upwardly directed rim or protrusions 1236. Trap portion1214 includes a front housing 1218 with at least one opening 1220 in afront surface 1254, and a rear housing 1226. Opening 1220 in fronthousing 1218 may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects intoinsect trap 1210, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one ormore specific insect species. In some embodiments, opening 1220 isconfigured to prevent a user’s fingers from penetrating opening 1220 andinadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 1214. In some embodiments, opening 1220 has asize and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 1220, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter can pass through any portion of opening 1220. Opening 1220 maybe of uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 1214 has more than one opening 1220, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 1220 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species. Front housing 1218 and rear housing 1226 of trapportion 1214 form an enclosure 1244. Rear housing 1226 includes aninside surface 1228 that may be coated with a transparent, translucentor opaque adhesive 1240. In some embodiments, inside surface 1228 ofrear housing 1226 also has a reflective coating (not shown) underadhesive 1240. Alternatively, the material and surface finish of rearhousing 1226 may be configured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visibleand/or IR light without a reflective coating. Alternatively, adhesive1240 may also be configured to reflect UV and/or visible and/or IRlight. Inside surface 1228 of rear housing 1226 may also be configuredof material that may polarize light reflecting from it in an orientationsimilar to that of daylight to further attract flying insects, a widevariety of which are known to detect polarized light. Rear housing 1226may include an opening 1250 on its bottom surface 1252, or alternativelyopening 1250 may be replaced by a transparent or translucent window (notshown). In some embodiments, front housing 1218 may be coated withtransparent, translucent or opaque adhesive on its inside surface (notshown) to provide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity.Front housing 1218 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 1218 and rearhousing 1226 are thermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating aclean and aesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1218 and rear housing 1226 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. In some embodiments, front housing 1218 and rear housing1226 are joined together where they intersect or engage with anadhesive, although they may also be joined by other commonly usedpackaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing,or any other suitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion1214 may also include one or more insect attractants. For example, trapportion 1214 may be impregnated sorbitol, coleopteran attractantsincluding brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol,ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin,oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants includingceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, andtrimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteranattractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromonesincluding codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure,and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyleugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that mayfurther increase the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1210.In such embodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion1214. Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in aseparate piece (not shown) that may mount on an inside surface ofenclosure 1244 or through an opening in front housing 1218 or rearhousing 1226. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable byan insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 1210.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional, cut-away view through insect trap 1210. Insome embodiments, base portion 1212 includes a circuit board 1248 havinga programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executing commands,electrically connected to conductive prongs 1222 (only one of which isshown), switch 1216 and LEDs 1224 (only one of which is shown). Forclarity, however, not all of the electrical connections are shown.Circuit board 1248 may include electronic circuitry to receive ordinaryhousehold current from conductive prongs 1222, respond to the positionof switch 1216 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 1224. Circuit board1248 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifiercircuit or any other circuit that may provide steady voltage to LEDs1224 when switch 1216 is in the closed position, although it may alsoprovide a varying voltage to LEDs 1224 to provide a flickering lightwhich mimics movement that some insect species, including mosquitoes,may find attractive. For example, light flickering frequencies in theapproximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of largemammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highest flicker frequency to attract malehouseflies), may be desirable and the lighting element may be configuredto flicker within this range. Circuit board 1248 may provide power toLEDs 1224 to provide both UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although itmay be configured to provide power to only UV LEDs 1224 or to onlyvisible light LEDs 1224 or to only IR LEDs 1224, or to provide variablepower to produce combinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IRlight. Circuit board 1248 may also be configured to drive a transmitteror transceiver such as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or otherdevice that may be mounted in base portion 1212 to emit aninsect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect sounds orvibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes, midges, mothsand flies, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequencydetectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in therange of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1210. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1210.

As shown, slot 1246 in top surface 1234 of base portion 1212 and rim orprotrusions 1236 on top surface 1234 engage with trap portion 1214 tosecure it in place during use, although any other form of attachment maybe substituted that allows trap portion 1214 to be securely butremovably mounted on base portion 1212.

In the operation of insect trap 1210, conductive prongs 1222 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and switch 1216 may be moved tothe closed position. LEDs 1224 emit light, represented by arrows, whichtransmits through opening 1232 in base portion 1212 and into enclosure1244, and directly onto adhesive 1240 coating inside surface 1228 ofrear housing 1226. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in baseportion 1212 and is emitted directly into trap portion 1214.

Inside surface 1228 of rear housing 1226 may include a concave shape andmay be configured to reflect light from LEDs 1224 to distribute thelight evenly through enclosure 1244, although inside surface 1228 ofrear housing 1226 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or acombination of shapes, or may also have ribs or other features to moreevenly distribute the light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such asan anamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens or combination oflenses configured to distribute the light (e.g., evenly, according tospecific patterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto inside surface 1228 ofrear housing 1226, may be mounted to base portion 1212 at or nearopening 1232 or to trap portion 1214 at or near opening 1250, and mayreplace or augment the light-distributing role of inside surface 1228 ofrear housing 1226. In some embodiments, the light from LEDs 1224 maydirectly strike inside surface 1228 of rear housing 1226 at an obliqueangle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and be spreadacross inside surface 1228, and may replace or augment thelight-distributing role of inside surface 1228 the lens or lensesmounted to trap portion 1214 or to base portion 1212. Light may befurther evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of window1230 in base portion 1212, by adhesive 1240 on inside surface 1228 ofrear housing 1226, or by a combination of the two.

Thereafter, a portion of the light continues through opening 1220 infront housing 1218 and into the surrounding area where the trap isinstalled. Insects are attracted to the UV and/or visible lighttransmitted through opening 1220, and fly or crawl into opening 1220 andonto adhesive 1240, where they become trapped. A user may observetrapped insects by looking through opening 1220 in front housing 1218.When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user mayeasily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 1214 withouttouching the trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remainout of reach inside trap portion 1214, and replace it with a new trapportion 1214. New trap portion 1214 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces,ensuring that insect trap 1210 will continue to efficiently andeffectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1214 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1212, insect trap 1210 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1210 is configured such that when insect trap1210 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1210 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1210 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1214. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1214. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1228 and adhesive1240). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces an evendistribution of light on adhesive 1240. In some embodiments, light ismanipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1240 orwithin trap portion 1214, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1210 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1214 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1212, each trap portion 1214 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 1214, and the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 1220 in front housing 1218 oftrap portion 1214, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap aspecific species or multiple species of flying insect. For example, insome embodiments, trap portion 1214 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments,trap portion 1214 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mmhigh and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 1214 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1212 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1212 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1212 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1220 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1220 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1220 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1220 is circular, opening 1220 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1220 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1220 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1220 is slot shaped, opening 1220 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1220 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1220 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1220 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1218. For example, opening 1220 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1218. Insome embodiments, opening 1220 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1218. In some embodiments, opening 1220covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1218.

FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1310. Insect trap 1310 includes abase portion 1312 and a removable trap portion 1314. Trap portion 1314is shown partly cut away and partially removed from base portion 1312 inthis view. A front surface 1346 of base portion 1312 may include aswitch 1316, configurable to enable insect trap 1310 to be turned on oroff by closing or opening switch 1316 as desired by the user.Alternatively, switch 1316 may be configured to control other featuressuch as light intensity, combinations of light wavelengths, differentmodes or frequencies of flickering light, an automatic setting thatturns on insect trap 1310 when the room gets dark, or a remote controlsetting for example. Switch 1316 may be manually operated, althoughswitch 1316 may also be operated electrically, optically,electro-mechanically, electro-optically, or by any method for opening orclosing switch 1316. Protruding from a rear surface 1350 (shown in FIG.34 ) of base portion 1312 are a plurality of electrically conductiveprongs 1322, adapted to mount insect trap 1310 to a wall and providepower to insect trap 1310 by inserting conductive prongs 1322 into astandard household electrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion1312 may be configured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive powerfrom batteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 1312. While anelectrical socket and batteries have been described as providing powerto insect trap 1310, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion1312 includes a top surface 1332 and one or more light sources 1324.Light sources 1324 may use fluorescent, incandescent, LED, or any otherlighting technology or combination of lighting technologies. In someembodiments, light sources 1324 emit both UV and visible light. In someembodiments, one or more of light sources 1324 emit UV light and one ormore of light sources 1324 emit blue light to better attract a widevariety of insect species. In some embodiments, light sources 1324 emita combination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, oneor more of light sources 1324 may emit infrared (IR) light to betterattract certain species of insects including mosquitos and fleas. Insome embodiments, light sources 1324 may at least partially protrudefrom top surface 1332 of base portion 1312. In top surface 1332 of baseportion 1312 may be at least one opening 1330, which may receive lightsources 1324. On the perimeter of top surface 1332 may be an upwardlydirected rim or protrusions 1334. Trap portion 1314 includes a fronthousing 1318 with at least one opening 1320 in a front surface 1352, anda rear housing 1326 with an inside surface 1328. Opening 1320 in fronthousing 1318 may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects intoinsect trap 1310, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one ormore specific insect species. In some embodiments, opening 1320 isconfigured to prevent a user’s fingers from penetrating opening 1320 andinadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 1314. In some embodiments, opening 1320 has asize and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 1320, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter can pass through any portion of opening 1320. Opening 1320 maybe of uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 1314 has more than one opening 1320, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 1320 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species. Front housing 1318 and rear housing 1326 of trapportion 1314 form an enclosure 1344. Inside surface 1328 of rear housing1326 may be coated with a transparent, translucent or opaque adhesive.In some embodiments, inside surface 1328 of rear housing 1326 also has areflective coating (not shown) under adhesive 1340. Alternatively, thematerial and surface finish of rear housing 1326 may be configured toreflect and disperse UV and/or visible and/or IR light without areflective coating.

Alternatively, adhesive 1340 may also be configured to reflect anddisperse UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Inside surface 1328 of rearhousing 1326 may also be configured of material that may polarize lightreflecting from it in an orientation similar to that of daylight tofurther attract flying insects, a wide variety of which are known todetect polarized light. In some embodiments, front housing 1318 may becoated with transparent, translucent or opaque adhesive on its insidesurface (not shown) to provide additional insect trapping efficiency andcapacity. Front housing 1318 may also have a reflective coating (notshown) underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhanceits attraction to insects and may further improve the insect trappingefficiency and effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 1318and rear housing 1326 of trap portion 1314 are thermoformed from opaquesheet plastic, creating a clean and aesthetically pleasing shape whilemaintaining low cost and disposability. Alternatively, other opaque,transparent or translucent materials such as paper, paperboard,cardboard or paper pulp may also be used. In some embodiments, fronthousing 1318 and rear housing 1326 are constructed by injection moldingor by other suitable manufacturing techniques. In some embodiments,front housing 1318 and rear housing 1326 are joined together where theyintersect or engage with an adhesive, although they may also be joinedby other commonly used packaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonicwelding or RF sealing, or any other suitable assembly method. Thematerials of trap portion 1314 may also include one or more insectattractants. For example, trap portion 1314 may be impregnated withsorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin, dominicalure,frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin,megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call,dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure,moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractants includingrescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure, straight chainlepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure,litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that may further increase theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1310. In such embodiments,the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 1314. Alternatively,the insect attractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown)that mounts on an inside surface of enclosure 1344 or through an openingin front housing 1318 or rear housing 1326. It is desirable for suchattractants to be detectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meterradius from insect trap 1310. In some embodiments, trap portion 1314also includes at least one transparent or translucent sleeve 1336 thatreceive and protect light sources 1324 when trap portion 1314 is mountedon base portion 1312. In some embodiments, the material and thickness ofsleeve 1336 is selected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UVand/or visible and/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of thelight is transmitted through sleeve 1336.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 1310. In someembodiments, base portion 1312 includes a circuit board 1348 having aprogrammable processor or chip (not shown) for executing commands,electrically connected to conductive prongs 1322 (only one of which isshown), switch 1316 and light sources 1324 (only one of which is shown).For clarity, however, not all of the electrical connections are shown.Circuit board 1348 may include electronic circuitry to receive ordinaryhousehold current from conductive prongs 1322, respond to the positionof switch 1316 and provide power to illuminate light sources 1324.Circuit board 1348 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage tolight sources 1324 when switch 1316 is in the closed position, althoughit may also provide a varying voltage to light sources 1324 to provide aflickering light which mimics movement that some insect species,including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, light flickeringfrequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic thebreathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highest flickerfrequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and the lightingelement may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuit board1348 may provide power to light sources 1324 to provide UV and/orvisible and/or IR light, although it may be configured to provide powerto only light sources 1324 that produce UV light or to only lightsources 1324 that produce visible light or to only light sources 1324that produce IR light, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 1348 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 1312 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects such asmosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more ofinsect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1310. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1310.

Trap portion 1314 may have at least one opening 1338. Sleeve 1336 oftrap portion 1314 may be mounted with its open end adjacent to opening1338 and may include a tapered section 1342 adjacent to opening 1338configured to guide light sources 1324 into sleeve 1336 when trapportion 1314 is mounted to base portion 1312. Alternatively, sleeve 1336of trap portion 1314 may be made of an opaque material and include oneor more openings (not shown) to allow light from light sources 1324 totransmit into enclosure 1344. Alternatively, sleeve 1336 may have anopaque coating (not shown) on its outside surface adjacent to fronthousing 1318 of trap portion 1314 to prevent light from transmittingdirectly from light sources 1324 through enclosure 1344 and out throughopening 1320 of front housing 1318. Alternatively, sleeve 1336 may beconfigured of plastic or metal wire mesh (not shown) or anyconfiguration that guides light sources 1324 into trap portion 1314,protects light sources 1324 from touching adhesive 1340, and allowslight from light sources 1324 to enter enclosure 1344.

As shown, rim or protrusions 1334 on top surface 1332 of base portion1312 engage with trap portion 1314 to secure it in place during use,although any other form of attachment may be substituted that allowstrap portion 1314 to be securely but removably mounted on base portion1312.

In the operation of insect trap 1310, conductive prongs 1322 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and switch 1316 is moved to theclosed position. Light sources 1324 emit light, represented by arrows,which transmits through sleeve 1336 in trap portion 1314, into enclosure1344, and directly onto adhesive 1340 coating inside surface 1328 ofrear housing 1326. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in baseportion 1312 and is emitted directly into trap portion 1314.

Inside surface 1328 of rear housing 1326 may include a concave shape andmay be configured to reflect and disperse light from light sources 1324to project the light evenly through enclosure 1344 and out throughopenings 1320 of front housing 1318, although inside surface 1328 ofrear housing 1326 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or acombination of shapes, or may also have ribs or other features to moreevenly distribute the light. The light may be further evenly distributedby the light-diffusing properties of sleeve 1336, by adhesive 1340 oninside surface 1328 of rear housing 1326, or by a combination of thetwo.

Thereafter, a portion of the light entering enclosure 1344 continuesthrough opening 1320 in front housing 1318 and into the surrounding areawhere insect trap 1310 is installed. Insects are attracted to the lighttransmitted through opening 1320 in front housing 1318, and fly or crawlinto opening 1320 and onto adhesive 1340, where they become trapped. Auser may observe trapped insects by looking through openings 1320 infront housing 1318. When a sufficient number of insects have beentrapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire trap portion1314 without touching trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, whichremain out of reach inside trap portion 1314, and replace it with a newtrap portion 1314. New trap portion 1314 has fresh adhesive-coatedsurfaces, ensuring that insect trap 1310 will continue to efficientlyand effectively attract and trap insects. Because sleeve 1336 protectslight sources 1324 from contacting insects, insect debris and adhesive1340, light sources 1324 remain clean and maintain their light-producingefficiency.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1314 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1312, insect trap 1310 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1310 is configured such that when insect trap1310 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1310 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1310 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1314. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1314. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1328 and adhesive1340). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces an evendistribution of light on adhesive 1340. In some embodiments, light ismanipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1340 orwithin trap portion 1314, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1310 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1314 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1312, each trap portion 1314 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 1314, and the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 1320 in front housing 1318 oftrap portion 1314, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap aspecific species or multiple species of flying insect. For example, insome embodiments, trap portion 1314 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments,trap portion 1314 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mmhigh and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 1314 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1312 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1312 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1312 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1320 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1320 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1320 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1320 is circular, opening 1320 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1320 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1320 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1320 is slot shaped, opening 1320 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1320 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1320 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1320 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1318. For example, opening 1320 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1318. Insome embodiments, opening 1320 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1318. In some embodiments, opening 1320covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1318.

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1410. Insect trap 1410 includes abase portion 1412 and a removable trap portion 1414. Trap portion 1414is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 1412 in thisview. Base portion 1412 includes a top surface 1432, at least one lightsource 1424 and at least one opening 1430, through which light source1424 is exposed.

In some embodiments, light source 1424 uses electroluminescent (EL)technology, although other lighting technologies or combination oflighting technologies may be adapted for use. In some embodiments, lightsource 1424 emits both UV and visible light. In some embodiments, lightsource 1424 emits both UV and blue light to better attract a widevariety of insect species. In some embodiments, light source 1424 emitsa combination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments,light source 1424 emits infrared (IR) light to better attract certainspecies of insects including mosquitos and fleas. On the perimeter oftop surface 1432 may be an upwardly directed rim or protrusions 1434.Trap portion 1414 includes a front housing 1418 with at least oneopening 1420 in a front surface 1416, and a transparent or translucentback plate 1426. Opening 1420 in front housing 1418 may be configured toadmit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 1410, or alternativelyit may be configured to admit one or more specific insect species. Insome embodiments, opening 1420 is configured to prevent a user’s fingersfrom penetrating opening 1420 and inadvertently touching trapped insectsor adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 1414. In someembodiments, opening 1420 has a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mmin diameter cannot pass through opening 1420, and has a size and shapesuch that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portion ofopening 1420. Opening 1420 may be of uniform or of varying width, shapeand orientation, and if trap portion 1414 has more than one opening1420, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapes andorientations. Opening 1420 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. Front housing1418 and back plate 1426 form an enclosure 1444. As shown, back plate1426 is substantially planar, although it may have ribs or otherfeatures (not shown) that increase adhesive surface area and createregions of light/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a widevariety of insects and may be more attractive to them.

Back plate 1426 includes a front surface 1442, which may be coated witha transparent or translucent adhesive 1440. Back plate 1426 may also beconfigured to polarize light transmitted through it in an orientationsimilar to that of daylight to further attract flying insects, a widevariety of which are known to detect polarized light. In someembodiments, front housing 1418 is coated with transparent, translucentor opaque adhesive (not shown) on its inside surface (not shown) toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In someembodiments, front housing 1418 may also have a reflective coating (notshown) underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhanceits attraction to insects and further improve the insect trappingefficiency and effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 1418and back plate 1426 are thermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creatinga clean and aesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1418 and back plate 1426 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques.

In some embodiments, front housing 1418 and back plate 1426 are joinedtogether where they intersect or engage with an adhesive, although theymay also be joined together by other commonly used packaging assemblytechniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing, or any othersuitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion 1414 may also beimpregnated with one or more insect attractants. For example, trapportion 1414 may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractantsincluding brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol,ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin,oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants includingceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, andtrimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteranattractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromonesincluding codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure,and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyleugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that mayfurther increase the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1410.Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in a separatepiece (not shown) that may mount on an inside surface of enclosure 1444or through an opening in front housing 1418 or back plate 1426. It isdesirable for such attractants to be detectable by an insect forapproximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 1410.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 1410. Protrudingfrom a rear surface 1428 of base portion 1412 are a plurality ofelectrically conductive prongs 1422 (only one of which is shown),adapted to mount insect trap 1410 to a wall and provide power to insecttrap 1410 by inserting conductive prongs 1422 into a standard householdelectrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 1412 may beconfigured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 1412. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 1410, any suitable power source may be used. In some embodiments,base portion 1412 includes a circuit board 1448 having a programmableprocessor or chip (not shown) for executing commands, electricallyconnected to conductive prongs 1422 (only one of which is shown) andlight source 1424. For clarity, however, not all of the electricalconnections are shown. Circuit board 1448 may include electroniccircuitry to receive ordinary household current from conductive prongs1422 and provide power to illuminate light source 1424. Circuit board1448 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifiercircuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage to lightsource 1424, although it may also provide a varying voltage to lightsource 1424 to provide a flickering light which mimics movement thatsome insect species, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. Forexample, light flickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g.,the highest flicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may bedesirable and the lighting element may be configured to flicker withinthis range. Circuit board 1448 may provide power to light source 1424 toprovide both UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may beconfigured to provide power to only the UV light source 1424 or to onlythe visible light source 1424 or to only the IR light source, or toprovide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UV and/orvisible and/or IR light. Circuit board 1448 may also be configured todrive a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectric speaker (notshown) or other device that may be mounted in base portion 1412 to emitan insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, the transmitter oftransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect sounds orvibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes, midges, mothsand flies, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to approximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highestfrequency detectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency isin the range of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1410. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1410.

As shown, rim or protrusions 1434 on top surface 1432 of base portion1412 engage with trap portion 1414 to secure it in place during use,although any other form of attachment may be substituted that allowstrap portion 1414 to be securely but removably mounted on base portion1412.

In the operation of insect trap 1410, conductive prongs 1422 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, circuit board 1448 may providecurrent to light source 1424, and light source 1424 emits light,represented by arrows, which transmit directly onto and through backplate 1426, through adhesive 1440 on front surface 1442, and intoenclosure 1444. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in baseportion 1412 and is emitted directly into trap portion 1414. In someembodiments, the light is further evenly distributed by thelight-diffusing properties of back plate 1426, or adhesive 1440, or by acombination of the two.

Thereafter, a portion of the light entering enclosure 1444 continuesthrough opening 1420 in front housing 1418 and into the surrounding areawhere insect trap 1410 is installed. Insects are attracted to the lighttransmitted through adhesive 1440 and through opening 1420, and fly orcrawl into opening 1420 and onto adhesive 1440, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening1420 in front housing 1418. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire trapportion 1414 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 1414, andreplace it with a new trap portion 1414. The new trap portion 1414 hasfresh adhesive-coated surfaces, ensuring that insect trap 1410 willcontinue to efficiently and effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, insect trap 1410 is configured such that wheninsect trap 1410 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by theoverall distance insect trap 1410 protrudes from the wall, is smallerthan its overall height and its overall width.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1410 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1414 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1412, each trap portion 1414 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 1414, and the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 1420 in front housing 1418 oftrap portion 1414, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap aspecific species or multiple species of flying insect. For example, insome embodiments, trap portion 1414 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments,trap portion 1414 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mmhigh and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 1414 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1412 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1412 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1412 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1420 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1420 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1420 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1420 is circular, opening 1420 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1420 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1420 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1420 is slot shaped, opening 1420 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1420 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1420 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1420 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1418. For example, opening 1420 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1418. Insome embodiments, opening 1420 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1418. In some embodiments, opening 1420covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1418.

FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1510. Insect trap 1510 includes abase portion 1512 and a removable trap portion 1514. Trap portion 1514is shown removed from base portion 1512 in this view. Trap portion 1514includes a front housing 1518 with a tab slot 1568 and at least oneopening 1520 in a front surface 1516. Opening 1520 in front housing 1518may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap1510, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one or morespecific insect species. In some embodiments, opening 1520 is configuredto prevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 1520 andinadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 1514. In some embodiments, opening 1520 has asize and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 1520, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter can pass through any portion of opening 1520. Opening 1520 maybe of uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 1514 has more than one opening 1520, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 1520 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species. As shown, protruding from tab slot 1568 in fronthousing 1518 in trap portion 1514 is a grip end 1562 of a removable tab1554. Protruding from a rear surface 1572 (shown in FIG. 40 ) of baseportion 1512 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 1522,adapted to mount insect trap 1510 to a wall and provide power to insecttrap 1510 by inserting conductive prongs 1522 into a standard householdelectrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 1512 may beconfigured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 1512. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 1510, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion 1512includes a top surface 1526 and at least one LED 1524. In someembodiments, LED 1524 includes at least one that emits ultraviolet (UV)light and at least one that emits visible light. In some embodiments,LED 1524 includes at least one that emits UV light and at least one thatemits blue light to better attract a wide variety of insect species. Insome embodiments, the lighting element emits a combination ofwavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs 1524 include atleast one that emits IR light to better attract certain species ofinsects including mosquitos and fleas. Mounted in top surface 1526 ofbase portion 1512 may be a transparent or translucent window 1528, shownpartially cut away to reveal LED 1524. Window 1528 protects LED 1524from dust and insect debris, and allows base portion 1512 to be easilycleaned. In top surface 1526 may be a slot 1530, and on the perimeter ofthe top surface 1526 is a rim or upwardly directed protrusions 1532.

FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of insect trap 1510. Insect trap1510 is shown partially cut away in this view. As shown, anupwardly-facing cup 1556 is mounted on a bottom inside surface 1570 offront housing 1518. Cup 1556 may have a lip 1558 protruding from theperimeter of its open end. Cup 1556 may be constructed of any materialor combination of materials that act as a barrier to any of theinsect-attracting substances mentioned herein. Removable tab 1554 mayhave a sealing end 1560 and a web 1564 between grip end 1562 and sealingend 1560, and may be constructed of any flexible and durable material orcombination of materials that act as a barrier to any of theinsect-attracting substances mentioned herein. As shown, sealing end1560 is configured to cover the open end of cup 1556, and may be affixedto lip 1558 with an adhesive to create an airtight seal, therebymaintaining the freshness of any insect-attracting substances (notshown) inside cup 1556, as well as holding removable tab 1554 in placeuntil it is removed by a user. Web 1564 may be folded over sealing end1560 of removable tab 1554 and extend to tab slot 1568 of front housing1518. Grip end 1562 of removable tab 1554 protrudes through tab slot1568 and may be folded downwards over an outside portion of fronthousing 1518.

FIG. 39 is a front perspective view of insect trap 1510. Trap portion1514 is shown partially cut away and removable tab 1554 partiallyremoved in this view. A user may grasp removable tab 1554 at grip end1562 and pull removable tab 1554 away from trap portion 1514, andthereby breaking the seal between lip 1558 of cup 1556 and sealing end1560 of removable tab 1554. Inside cup 1556 is a carrier material 1566impregnated with one or more insect-attracting substances. For example,carrier material 1566 may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteranattractants including brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure,ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid,multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteranattractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun,muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure,lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteranpheromones including codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure,orfralure, and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol,methyl eugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent thatmay further increase the insect-attracting efficiency of the insecttrap. Breaking the seal between cup 1556 and sealing end 1560 ofremovable tab 1554 releases the insect-attracting scent or scentsthrough opening 1520 of front housing 1518 and into the surrounding areawhere insect trap 1510 is installed. It is desirable for suchattractants to be detectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meterradius from insect trap 1510.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap. Removable tab1554 (not shown) has been completely removed in this view. Trap portion1514 includes a divider 1534 with a front surface 1538, and a rearhousing 1540 with an inside surface 1542. In some embodiments, divider1534 is constructed from or includes a transparent or translucentmaterial and may be coated with a transparent or translucent adhesive1536 on front surface 1538. In some embodiments, divider 1534 may alsobe configured to polarize light transmitted through it in an orientationsimilar to that of daylight to further attract flying insects, a widevariety of which are known to detect polarized light. In someembodiments, the material and thickness of divider 1534 and the materialand thickness of adhesive 1536 are selected to transmit a substantialproportion of the UV and/or visible and/or IR light, for example greaterthan 60% of the light is transmitted through divider 1534 and adhesive1536. In some embodiments, inside surface 1542 of rear housing 1540 hasa reflective coating. Alternatively, the material and surface finish ofrear housing 1540 may be configured to reflect and disperse UV and/orvisible light without a reflective coating. Rear housing 1540 mayinclude an opening 1544 on its bottom surface, or alternatively opening1544 may be replaced by a transparent or translucent window (not shown).

In some embodiments, front housing 1518 and rear housing 1540 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1518 and rear housing 1540 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. As shown, divider 1534 has a rear surface 1552, and may besubstantially planar, and may be configured to be parallel to, or at anangle to, the primary direction (not shown) of the light produced by LED1524. In some embodiments, divider 1534 may be formed into a convex,concave or saddle-shaped contour (not shown), or a combination ofcontours to optimize the even distribution of light. In someembodiments, divider 1534 may have ribs or other features (not shown)that increase adhesive surface area and create regions of light/darkcontrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety of insects and maybe more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 1518 is coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive (not shown) on its inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 1518 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 1518, divider 1534and rear housing 1540 are joined together at where they intersect orengage by ultrasonic welding or high frequency (HF) welding, althoughthey may also be permanently or removably joined together by gluing orby any other suitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion1514 (e.g., front housing 1518, rear housing 1540, divider 1534 andadhesive 1536) may also be impregnated with one or more insectattractants. Divider 1534 separates trap portion 1514 into a frontenclosure 1546 and a rear enclosure 1548.

In some embodiments, base portion 1512 includes a circuit board 1550having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 1522 (only one ofwhich is shown) and LED 1524. For clarity, however, not all of theelectrical connections are shown. Circuit board 1550 may includeelectronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 1522 and provide power to illuminate LED 1524. Circuitboard 1550 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage toLED 1524, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LED 1524 toprovide a flickering light that mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and thelighting element may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuitboard 1550 may provide power to LED 1524 to provide UV and/or visibleand/or IR light although it may be configured to provide power to onlyUV LED 1524 or to only visible light LED 1524 or to only IR LED 1524, orto provide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UVand/or visible and/or IR light. Circuit board 1550 may also beconfigured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricspeaker (not shown) or other device that may be mounted in base portion1512 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes,midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more of insect call,reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1510. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1510.

As shown, slot 1530 in top surface 1526 of base portion 1512 and rim orprotrusions 1532 on top surface 1526 of base portion 1512 engage withtrap portion 1514 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that may allow trap portion 1514to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 1512.

In the operation of insect trap 1510, conductive prongs 1522 (only oneof which is shown) are inserted into a wall electrical socket, andremovable tab 1554 (not shown) is pulled from trap portion 1514 andremoved, thereby breaking the seal between cup 1556 and removable tab1554 and exposing carrier material 1566 and insect-attracting substanceor substances to the air and releasing an insect-attracting scent orscents into trap portion 1514 and into the surrounding area where insecttrap 1510 is installed. Cup 1556, carrier material 1566 and theinsect-attracting substance or substances may be configured to releasean insect-attracting scent or scents for a predetermined amount of timeto correspond with the expected useful life of trap portion 1514, whichmay be e.g., a week, a month or three months. Alternatively, cup 1556,carrier material 1566 and the insect-attracting substance or substancesmay be configured to preferentially release one insect-attracting scentor group of scents earlier in the useful life of trap portion 1514 andanother insect-attracting scent or group of scents later in the usefullife of trap portion 1514 to attract more insects or a wider variety ofinsects with a changing scent, or to provide a stronger scent later inthe useful life of trap portion 1514, to compensate for the reducedlight emitted from trap portion 1514 when many insects are caught inadhesive 1536. Alternatively, cup 1556 and carrier material 1566 may beconfigured to release additional scents that may mask theinsect-attracting scent or scents or mask or eliminate components of theinsect-attracting scent or scents that humans may find objectionable, orthat children or non-intended animals (e.g., pets) may find attractive,without substantially reducing their attractiveness to insects. LED 1524emits light, represented by arrows, which transmits through window 1528in base portion 1512, through opening 1544 in rear housing 1540 of trapportion 1514, into rear enclosure 1548, and directly onto inside surface1542 of rear housing 1540 and rear surface 1552 of divider 1534. In someembodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 1512 and isemitted directly into trap portion 1514. Inside surface 1542 of rearhousing 1540 may include a concave shape and may be configured toreflect and disperse the UV and visible light from LED 1524 todistribute the light evenly onto rear surface 1552 of divider 1534,although inside surface 1542 of rear housing 1540 may have a convexshape or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or may also haveribs or other features (not shown) to more evenly distribute the light.Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens (notshown) or any other lens or combination of lenses configured todistribute the light (e.g., evenly, according to specific patterns, at afocal point, etc.) onto rear surface 1552 of divider 1534, may bemounted to rear housing 1540 at or near opening 1544 or to base portion1512 at or near window 1528, and may replace or augment the role ofinside surface 1542 of rear housing 1540. In some embodiments, the lightfrom LED 1524 may directly strike rear surface 1552 of divider 1534 atan oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) andbe spread across divider 1534, and may replace or augment the role ofinside surface 1542 of rear housing 1540 or of the lens or lensesmounted to rear housing 1540.

Thereafter, light transmits through divider 1534 and adhesive 1536 onfront surface 1538, and into front enclosure 1546. Light may be furtherevenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider 1534,adhesive 1536 on front surface 1538, or both. A portion of the lightentering front enclosure 1546 continues through opening 1520 in fronthousing 1518 and is emitted into the surrounding area where insect trap1510 is installed. Insects are attracted to the light emitted throughadhesive 1536 and through opening 1520 in front housing 1518. Insectsare also attracted to the scents and/or pheromones released from carriermaterial 1566 in cup 1556. In addition, heat generated by circuit board1550 may warm carrier material 1566, and may thereby increase therelease of insect-attracting scents and/or pheromones. Insects fly orcrawl into opening 1520 and onto adhesive 1536, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening1520 in front housing 1518. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire usedtrap portion 1514 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 1514, andreplace it with a new trap portion 1514. The new trap portion 1514 hasfresh adhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuringthat insect trap 1510 will continue to efficiently and effectivelyattract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1514 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1512, insect trap 1510 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1510 is configured such that when insect trap1510 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1510 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1510 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1514. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1514. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1542, divider 1534and adhesive 1536). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 1536. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1536 orwithin trap portion 1514, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1510 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1514 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1512, each trap portion 1514 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flying ornon-flying insect. For example, the overall size and shape of trapportion 1514, the size, shape, location and orientation of opening 1520in front housing 1518 of trap portion 1514, and the scent or scentsimpregnated in carrier material 1566, front housing 1518, divider 1534,adhesive 1536 or rear housing 1540, may be uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flyinginsect.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 1514 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 1514 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 1514 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm highand 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1512 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1512 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1512 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1520 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1520 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1520 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1520 is circular, opening 1520 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1520 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1520 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1520 is slot shaped, opening 1520 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1520 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1520 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1520 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1518. For example, opening 1520 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1518. Insome embodiments, opening 1520 covers 5approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1518. In some embodiments, opening 1520covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1518.

FIG. 41 is a front perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1610. Insect trap 1610 includes abase portion 1612 and a removable trap portion 1614. Trap portion 1614is shown removed from the base portion 1612 in this view. Trap portion1614 includes a front housing 1618 with at least one opening 1620 in afront surface 1660. Opening 1620 in front housing 1618 may be configuredto admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 1610, oralternatively it may be configured to admit one or more specific insectspecies. In some embodiments, opening 1620 is configured to preventuser’s fingers from penetrating opening 1620 and inadvertently touchingtrapped insects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion1614. In some embodiments, opening 1620 has a size and shape such that asphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 1620, and has asize and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through anyportion of opening 1620. Opening 1620 may be of uniform or of varyingwidth, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 1614 has more than oneopening 1620, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 1620 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. Protrudingfrom a rear surface 1662 (shown in FIG. 42 ) of base portion 1612 may bea plurality of electrically conductive prongs 1622, adapted to mountinsect trap 1610 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 1610 byinserting conductive prongs 1622 into a standard household electricalwall socket. Alternatively, base portion 1612 may be configured to sitor hang wherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown)mounted in base portion 1612. While an electrical socket and batterieshave been described as providing power to insect trap 1610, any suitablepower source may be used. Base portion 1612 includes a lighting elementsuch as one or more LEDs 1624. In some embodiments, LEDs 1624 include atleast one that emits UV light and at least one that emits visible light.In some embodiments, LEDs 1624 include at least one that emits UV lightand at least one that emits blue light to better attract a wide varietyof insect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs1624 include at least one that emits IR light to better attract certainspecies of insects including mosquitos and fleas. In a top surface 1626of base portion 1612 is an opening 1652, which may be covered by atransparent or translucent window 1628, shown partially cut away toreveal LEDs 1624. Window 1628 protects LEDs 1624 from dust and insectdebris, and allows base portion 1612 to be easily cleaned. Mounted in asecond opening 1654 in top surface 1626 is an electromechanical actuator1656, preferably a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricspeaker. Also in top surface 1626 may be a slot 1630, and on theperimeter of top surface 1626 is a rim or upwardly directed protrusions1632.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 1610. Trap portion1614 includes a divider 1634 with a front surface 1638, and a rearhousing 1640 with an inside surface 1642. In some embodiments, divider1634 is constructed from or includes a transparent or translucentmaterial and may be coated with a transparent or translucent adhesive1636 on front surface 1638. In some embodiments, divider 1634 isconfigured to polarize light transmitted through it in an orientationsimilar to that of daylight to further attract flying insects, a widevariety of which are known to detect polarized light. In someembodiments, inside surface 1642 of rear housing 1640 is coated with areflective material. In some embodiments, the material and surfacefinish of rear housing 1640 may be configured to reflect and disperse UVand/or visible light without a reflective coating. In some embodiments,the material and thickness of divider 1634 and the material andthickness of adhesive 1636 are selected to transmit a substantialproportion of the UV and/or visible and/or IR light, for example greaterthan 60% of the light is transmitted through divider 1634 and adhesive1636. Rear housing 1640 may include an opening 1644 on its bottomsurface, or alternatively opening 1644 may be replaced by a transparentor translucent window.

In some embodiments, front housing 1618 and rear housing 1640 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1618 and rear housing 1640 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. As shown, divider 1634 may be substantially planar, and maybe configured to be parallel to, or at an angle to the primary directionof the light (not shown) produced by LEDs 1624. Alternatively, divider1634 may be formed into a convex, concave or saddle-shaped contour (notshown), or a combination of contours to optimize the even distributionof light. In some embodiments, divider 1634 has ribs or other features(not shown) that increase adhesive surface area and create regions oflight/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety ofinsects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 1618 is coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive (not shown) on an inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 1618 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness.

In some embodiments, front housing 1618, divider 1634 and rear housing1640 are joined together where they intersect or engage with anadhesive, although they may also be joined by other commonly usedpackaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing,or any other suitable assembly method. As shown, divider 1634 separatesthe trap portion 1614 into a front enclosure 1646 and a rear enclosure1648.

In some embodiments, base portion 1612 includes a circuit board 1650having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 1622, only one ofwhich is shown, and LEDs 1624. For clarity, however, not all of theelectrical connections are shown. Circuit board 1650 may includeelectronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 1622 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 1624.Circuit board 1650 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage toLEDs 1624, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 1624to provide a flickering light, which mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and thelighting element may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuitboard 1650 may provide power to LEDs 1624 to provide UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, although it may be configured to provide power to onlyUV LEDs 1624 or to only visible light LEDs 1624 or to only IR light LEDs1624, or to provide variable power to produce combinations of flickeringUV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuit board 1650 may also beconfigured to drive actuator 1656, mounted in opening 1654 in baseportion 1612, to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments,actuator 1656 emits recorded and/or generated insect sounds orvibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes, midges, mothsand flies, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequencydetectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in therange of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1610. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1610.

As shown, slot 1630 in top surface 1626 of base portion 1612 and rim orprotrusions 1632 on top surface 1626 of base portion 1612 engage withtrap portion 1614 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that may allow trap portion 1614to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 1612.

In the operation of insect trap 1610, conductive prongs 1622, only oneof which is shown, are inserted into a wall electrical socket. Circuitboard 1650 provides power to LEDs 1624 and to actuator 1656. LEDs 1624emit light, represented by arrows, which transmits through window 1628in base portion 1612, through opening 1644 in rear housing 1640 of trapportion 1614, into rear enclosure 1648, and directly onto inside surface1642 of rear housing 1640 and onto a rear surface 1658 of divider 1634.In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 1612 andis emitted directly into trap portion 1614. Inside surface 1642 of rearhousing 1640 may include a concave shape and may be configured toreflect and disperse the light from LEDs 1624 to distribute the lightevenly onto rear surface 1658 of divider 1634, although inside surface1642 of rear housing 1640 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or acombination of shapes, or may also have ribs or other features (notshown) to more evenly distribute the light. Alternatively, an opticalenhancer such as an anamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens orcombination of lenses configured to distribute the UV and visible light(e.g., evenly, according to specific patterns, at a focal point, etc.)onto rear surface 1658 of divider 1634, may be mounted to rear housing1640 at or near opening 1644 or to base portion 1612 at or near window1628, and may replace or augment the role of inside surface 1642 of rearhousing 1640. In some embodiments, the light from LEDs 1624 may directlystrike rear surface 1658 of divider 1634 at an oblique angle (e.g., anacute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and be spread across divider1634, and may replace or augment the role of inside surface 1642 of rearhousing 1640 or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 1640.

Thereafter, light transmits through divider 1634 and adhesive 1636 onfront surface 1638, and into front enclosure 1646. Light may be furtherevenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider 1634,adhesive 1636, or both. A portion of the light entering front enclosure1646 continues through opening 1620 in front housing 1618 and is emittedinto the surrounding area where insect trap 1610 is installed. Actuator1656 produces insect-attracting vibrations which travel through fronthousing 1618 of trap portion 1614, into front enclosure 1646 of trapportion 1614, and out through opening 1620 of trap portion 1614. Inaddition, actuator 1656 may induce front housing 1618 of trap portion1614 to vibrate and project insect-attracting sounds or vibrations intothe room. Insects are attracted to the light transmitted throughadhesive 1636 and through opening 1620 in front housing 1618. Insectsare also attracted to the sounds or vibrations produced by actuator 1656in base portion 1612 and traveling through front housing 1618 in trapportion 1614. Insects fly or crawl into opening 1620 and onto adhesive1636, where they become trapped. A user may observe trapped insects bylooking through opening 1620 in front housing 1618. When a sufficientnumber of insects have been trapped, the user may easily remove anddiscard the entire used trap portion 1614 without touching trappedinsects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out of reach insidetrap portion 1614, and replace it with a new trap portion 1614. New trapportion 1614 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces and light-directingsurfaces, ensuring that insect trap 1610 will continue to efficientlyand effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1614 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1612, insect trap 1610 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1610 is configured such that when insect trap1610 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1610 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1610 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1614. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1614. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1642, divider 1634and adhesive 1636). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 1636. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1636 orwithin trap portion 1614, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1610 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1614 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1612, each trap portion 1614 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flying ornon-flying insect. For example, the overall size and shape of trapportion 1614, the size, shape, location and orientation of opening 1620in front housing 1618 of trap portion 1614, and the natural frequencyand sound amplifying properties of trap portion 1614 may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species offlying or non-flying insect. For example, in some embodiments, trapportion 1614 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm highand 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 1614 isapproximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 1614 is approximately 20 mmto 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1612 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1612 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1612 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1620 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 120 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1620 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1620 is circular, opening 1620 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1620 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1620 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1620 is slot shaped, opening 1620 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1620 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1620 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1620 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1618. For example, opening 1620 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1618. Insome embodiments, opening 1620 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1618. In some embodiments, opening 1620covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1618.

FIG. 43 is a rear perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1710. Insect trap 1710 includes abase portion 1712 and a removable trap portion 1714. Trap portion 1714is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 1712 in thisview. Trap portion 1714 includes a front housing 1718 with at least oneopening 1720 in a front surface 1716, a rear housing 1740, and a divider1734 with a rear surface 1752. Opening 1720 in front housing 1718 may beconfigured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 1710, oralternatively it may be configured to admit one or more specific insectspecies. In some embodiments, opening 1720 is configured to preventuser’s fingers from penetrating opening 1720 and inadvertently touchingtrapped insects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion1714. In some embodiments, opening 1720 has a size and shape such that asphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 1720, and has asize and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter may pass through anyportion of opening 1720. Opening 1720 may be of uniform or of varyingwidth, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 1714 has more than oneopening 1720, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 1720 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. Affixed torear surface 1752 of divider 1734 is an electromechanical actuator 1754,preferably a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricactuator. Attached to actuator 1754 are electric trap wires 1756. Whiletwo trap wires 1756 are shown attached to actuator 1754, any suitablenumber may be used. Rear housing 1740 may include an opening 1744 on itsbottom surface, or alternatively opening 1744 may be replaced by atransparent or translucent window (not shown).

Protruding from a rear surface 1768 of base portion 1712 are a pluralityof electrically conductive prongs 1722, adapted to mount insect trap1710 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 1710 by insertingconductive prongs 1722 into a standard household electrical wall socket.Alternatively, base portion 1712 may be configured to sit or hangwherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown) mounted inbase portion 1712. While an electrical socket and batteries have beendescribed as providing power to insect trap 1710, any suitable powersource may be used. Base portion 1712 includes a lighting element suchas one or more LEDs 1724. In some embodiments, LEDs 1724 include atleast one that emits UV light and at least one that emits visible light.In some embodiments, LEDs 1724 include at least one that emits UV lightand at least one that emits blue light to better attract a wide varietyof insect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs1724 include at least one that emits infrared (IR) to better attractcertain species of insects including mosquitos. A top surface 1726 ofbase portion 1712 includes an opening 1766, which may be covered by atransparent or translucent window 1728, shown partially cut away toreveal LEDs 1724. Window 1728 protects LEDs 1724 from dust and insectdebris, and allows base portion 1712 to be easily cleaned. Mounted inone or more additional openings 1758 in top surface 1726 of base portion1712 are a plurality of electrical base contacts 1760. While two basecontacts 1760 are shown, any suitable number may be used. In top surface1726 may be a slot 1730, and on the perimeter of top surface 1726 is arim or upwardly directed protrusions 1732.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional, cut-away view through insect trap 1710showing the interiors of base portion 1712 and trap portion 1714, andFIG. 45 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 44 . In someembodiments, rear housing 1740 includes a reflective-coated insidesurface 1742. Alternatively, the material and surface finish of rearhousing 1740 may be configured to reflect UV and/or visible and/or IRlight without a reflective coating. In some embodiments, divider 1734 isconstructed from or includes a transparent or translucent material andmay be coated with a transparent or translucent adhesive 1736 on itsfront surface 1738. In some embodiments, divider 1734 is configured topolarize light transmitted through it in an orientation similar to thatof daylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of whichare known to detect polarized light. In some embodiments, the materialand thickness of divider 1734 and the material and thickness of adhesive1736 are selected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/orvisible and/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through divider 1734 and adhesive 1736.

In some embodiments, front housing 1718 and rear housing 1740 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1718 and rear housing 1740 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. As shown, divider 1734 is substantially planar, and may beconfigured to be parallel to, or at an angle to the primary direction ofthe light produced by LEDs 1724. In some embodiments, divider 1734 maybe formed into a convex, concave or saddle-shaped contour, or acombination of contours to optimize the even distribution of light. Insome embodiments, divider 1734 may have ribs or other features (notshown) that increase adhesive surface area and create regions oflight/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety ofinsects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 1718 may also be coated withtransparent, translucent or opaque adhesive on its inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 1718 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness.

In some embodiments, front housing 1718, divider 1734 and rear housing1740 are joined together at where they intersect or engage by ultrasonicwelding or high frequency (HF) welding, although they may also bepermanently or removably joined together by gluing or by any othersuitable assembly method. The materials of trap portion 1714 may alsoinclude one or more insect attractants. For example, trap portion 1714may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants includingbrevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol,japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure,sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure,cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure,homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteran attractantssuch as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromones includingcodlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, andostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol,and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that furtherincreases the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1710. In suchembodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 1714.Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in a separatepiece (not shown) that mounts on an inside surface of front housing 1718or through opening 1720 in front housing 1718 or on front surface 1738of divider 1734. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectableby an insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 1710.Divider 1734 separates trap portion 1714 into a front enclosure 1746 anda rear enclosure 1748. Rear housing 1740 includes a plurality ofelectrical trap contacts 1762 (only one of which is shown) thatcorrespond to base contacts 1760 in base portion 1712. Trap contacts1762 are electrically connected to trap wires 1756 and are configured tocreate an electrical contact with base contacts 1760 (only one of whichis shown), when trap portion 1714 is mounted to base portion 1712. Insome embodiments, base portion 1712 includes a circuit board 1750,having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 1722 (only one ofwhich is shown), LEDs 1724 (only one of which is shown), and a pluralityof electric base wires 1764 (only one of which is shown), thatcorrespond to base contacts 1760. Circuit board 1750 may be electricallyconnected to conductive prongs 1722 (only one of which is shown), LEDs1724 (only one of which is shown), and base wires 1764, which, in turn,may be electrically connected to their corresponding base contacts 1760.Accordingly, actuator 1754, mounted on rear surface 1752 of divider1734, may be electrically connected to circuit board 1750 when trapportion 1714 is mounted to base portion 1712. For clarity, however, notall of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board 1750 mayinclude electronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 1722 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 1724.Circuit board 1750 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage toLEDs 1724, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 1724to provide a flickering light that mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and thelighting element may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuitboard 1750 may provide power to LEDs 1724 to provide both UV and visiblelight, although it may be configured to provide power to only UV LEDs1724 or to only visible light LEDs 1724, or to only IR LEDs 1724, or toprovide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UV and/orvisible and/or IR light. Circuit board 1750 may also be configured topower actuator 1754 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects such asmosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more ofinsect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1710. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1710.

As shown, slot 1730 in top surface 1726 of base portion 1712 and rim orprotrusions 1732 on top surface 1726 of base portion 1712 engage withtrap portion 1714 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion 1714 tobe securely but removably mounted on base portion 1712.

In the operation of insect trap 1710, conductive prongs 1722 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and circuit board 1750 providespower to LEDs 1724 and to actuator 1754. LEDs 1724 emit light,represented by arrows, which transmits through window 1728 in baseportion 1712, through opening 1744 in rear housing 1740 of trap portion1714, into rear enclosure 1748, and directly onto inside surface 1742 ofrear housing 1740 and rear surface 1752 of divider 1734. In someembodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 1712 and isemitted directly into trap portion 1714. Inside surface 1742 of rearhousing 1740 may include a concave shape and may be configured to lightfrom LEDs 1724 to distribute the light evenly onto rear surface 1752 ofdivider 1734, although the shape of inside surface 1742 of rear housing1740 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or a combination ofshapes, or may also have ribs or other features (not shown) to moreevenly distribute the light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such asan anamorphic lens or any other lens or combination of lenses (notshown) configured to distribute the light (e.g., evenly, according tospecific patterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 1752 ofdivider 1734, may be mounted to rear housing 1740 at or near opening1744 or to base portion 1712 at or near opening 1766, and may replace oraugment the role of inside surface 1742 of rear housing 1740. In someembodiments, the light from LEDs 1724 may directly strike rear surface1752 of divider 1734 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle fromapproximately 0° to 90°) and be spread across divider 1734, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface 1742 of rear housing 1740or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 1740.

Thereafter, light transmits through divider 1734 and adhesive 1736 onfront surface 1738, and into front enclosure 1746. The light may befurther evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider1734, adhesive 1736 on front surface 1738, or both. A portion of thelight entering front enclosure 1746 continues through opening 1720 infront housing 1718 and emits into the surrounding area where the trap isinstalled. Actuator 1754 produces insect-attracting vibrations which areamplified by divider 1734, and transmit through front enclosure 1746 oftrap portion 1714, and out through opening 1720 of trap portion 1714.Insects are attracted to the light transmitted through adhesive 1736 andthrough opening 1720 in front housing 1718. Insects are also attractedto the insect-attracting vibrations produced by actuator 1754. Insectsfly or crawl into opening 1720 and onto adhesive 1736, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening1720 in front housing 1718. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire usedtrap portion 1714 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 1714, andreplace it with a new trap portion 1714. New trap portion 1714 has freshadhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuring thatinsect trap 1710 will continue to efficiently and effectively attractand trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1714 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1712, insect trap 1710 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1710 is configured such that when insect trap1710 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1710 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1710 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1714. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1714. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1742, divider 1734and adhesive 1736). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 1736. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1736 orwithin trap portion 1714, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1710 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1714 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1712, each trap portion 1714 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flyinginsect. For example, the overall size and shape of trap portion 1714,the size, shape, location and orientation of openings 1720 in fronthousing 1718 of trap portion 1714, the vibration-producing properties ofactuator 1754, and the natural frequency and sound amplifying propertiesof trap portion 1714 may be uniquely configured to attract and trap aspecific species or multiple species of flying insect.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 1714 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 1714 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 1714 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm highand 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1712 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1712 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1712 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1720 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1720 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1720 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1720 is circular, opening 1720 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1720 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1720 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1720 is slot shaped, opening 1720 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1720 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1720 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1720 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1718. For example, opening 1720 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1718. Insome embodiments, opening 1720 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1718. In some embodiments, opening 1720covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1718.

FIG. 46 is a front perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 1810. Trap portion 1814 is shownpartially cut away in this view. Insect trap 1810 includes a baseportion 1812 and a removable trap portion 1814. Base portion 1812 may beidentical or similar to the base portions of other embodiments describedpreviously. Trap portion 1814 may have a front housing 1816 with atleast one opening 1818 in a front surface 1830, a rear housing 1820, anda transparent or translucent divider 1822 with a front surface 1824.Opening 1818 in front housing 1816 may be configured to admit a widevariety of insects into insect trap 1810, or alternatively it may beconfigured to admit one or more specific insect species. In someembodiments, opening 1818 is configured to prevent user’s fingers frompenetrating opening 1820 and inadvertently touching trapped insects oradhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 1814. In someembodiments, opening 1818 has a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mmin diameter cannot pass through opening 1818, and has a size and shapesuch that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portion ofopening 1820. Opening 1818 may be of uniform or of varying width, shapeand orientation, and if trap portion 1814 has more than one opening1818, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapes andorientations. Opening 1818 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. In someembodiments, divider 1822 is configured to polarize light transmittedthrough it in an orientation similar to that of daylight to furtherattract flying insects, a wide variety of which are known to detectpolarized light. In some embodiments, a text or graphics 1826 is appliedto front surface 1824 of divider 1822, although text or graphics 1826may be applied instead to the rear surface (not shown) of divider 1822,or it may be applied to both sides of divider 1822. Text or graphics1826 may be applied by traditional printing, hot stamping, silkscreening, inkjet printing, or any method or process by which text orgraphics 1826 may be applied to front surface 1824 and/or rear surface(not shown) of divider 1822. Alternatively, a thin transparent ortranslucent film with the text or graphics applied to its front or rearsurface or to both surfaces may be affixed to front surface 1824 ofdivider 1822. Alternatively, text or graphics 1826 may be embossed orraised on front surface 1824 or the rear surface (not shown) of divider1822 by embossing, engraving or molding, such that text or graphics 1826appears darker or lighter than the surrounding area when light istransmitted through divider 1822. A transparent or translucent coatingof adhesive 1828 is applied over front surface 1824 of divider 1822 andover text or graphics 1826. Text or graphics 1826 may be visible throughadhesive 1828 either in ordinary ambient light or when illuminated frombehind or both. Alternatively, text or graphics 1826 may be applied influorescent pigments, which appear to glow when illuminated byultraviolet light. Text or graphics 1826 may be in the form of arepeated message or brand name or company logo such that text orgraphics 1826 may appear repeatedly on front surface 1824 of divider1822, thereby eliminating alignment and printing registration issuesduring manufacture. Because text or graphics 1826 is visible throughopening 1818 in front housing 1816, text or graphics 1826 may not befully visible or legible unless it is viewed from a short distance, suchas when a user may look closely through opening 1818 to observe insectstrapped in adhesive 1828, or when the user may remove trap portion 1814from base portion 1812 for disposal and replacement, both of which maybe opportunities to remind the user of the brand name and /or logo ofthe insect trap, of use or disposal instructions, or of any othermessage or messages. Because text or graphics 1826 may not be fullyvisible or legible when viewed from a distance, text or graphics 1826may not affect the appearance of the room in which insect trap 1810 isinstalled. When insect trap 1810 is in operation, divider 1822 and textor graphics 1826 are illuminated from behind, and text or graphics 1826may appear as sharp light/dark contrast areas, which are highly visibleto a wide variety of insects and may be more attractive to them. Text orgraphics 1826 applied to front surface 1824 of divider 1822 may bevisible when illuminated from behind as well as when not illuminatedfrom behind, whereas text or graphics 1826 applied to the rear surfaceof divider 1822 may only be visible when illuminated from behind.Accordingly, when text or graphics 1826 are applied to both sides ofdivider 1822, different messages or graphics or combinations of messagesor graphics may be displayed when insect trap 1810 is in operation anddivider 1822 is illuminated from behind and when insect trap 1810 is notin operation.

FIG. 47 is a front perspective view and FIG. 48 is a rear perspectiveview of a nineteenth embodiment of an insect trap, indicated generallyat 1910. Insect trap 1910 includes a base portion 1912 and a removabletrap portion 1914. Trap portion 1914 is shown removed from base portion1912 in both views. Trap portion 1914 and base portion 1912 isconfigured such that trap portion 1914 engages with a top surface 1926of base portion 1912 when trap portion 1914 is mounted to base portion1912. Trap portion 1914 includes a front housing 1918 with at least oneopening 1920 in a front surface 1916, and a rear housing 1940. Opening1920 in front housing 1918 may be configured to admit a wide variety ofinsects into insect trap 1910, or alternatively it may be configured toadmit one or more specific insect species. In some embodiments, opening1920 is configured to prevent the user’s fingers from penetratingopening 1920 and inadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive whenremoving and replacing trap portion 1914. In some embodiments, opening1920 has a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannotpass through opening 1920, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1mm in diameter can pass through any portion of opening 1920. Opening1920 may be of uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, andif trap portion 1914 has more than one opening 1920, they may be ofidentical or of differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 1920may be configured to attract one or more individual insect species or avariety of insect species. In some embodiments, front housing 1918 hasone or more ribs or other relief features (not shown) to provideincreased stiffness and strength, particularly around opening 1920.

In some embodiments, base portion 1912 may have a flat surface (notshown) or one or more protrusions (not shown) on its bottom surface toenable insect trap 1910 to remain upright when insect trap 1910 placedon a flat, horizontal surface such as the floor or on a shelf forstorage. Protruding from a rear surface 1962 (shown in FIG. 48 ) of baseportion 1912 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 1922,adapted to mount insect trap 1910 to a wall and provide power to insecttrap 1910 by inserting conductive prongs 1922 into a standard householdelectrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 1912 may beconfigured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 1912. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 1910, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion 1912includes a top surface 1926 and a lighting element such as one or moreLEDs 1924. In some embodiments, base portion 1912 includes an array ofLEDs 1924. As shown, LEDs 1924 are configured in a 2 by 3 array of blueand UV LEDS 1924, although different array configurations with differentnumbers and arrangements (e.g., a 3 by 2 array or a 4 by 3 array or a 1by 2 array, for example) of LEDs 1924, LEDs 1924 emitting differentwavelengths of light, and different combinations of LEDs 1924 emittingdifferent wavelengths of light, could also be used. In some embodiments,LEDs 1924 include at least one that emits UV light and at least one thatemits visible light. In some embodiments, LEDs 1924 include at least onethat emits UV light and at least one that emits blue light to betterattract a wide variety of insect species. In some embodiments, thelighting element emits a combination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight.In some embodiments, LEDs 1924 include at least one that emits IR lightto better attract certain species of insects including mosquitos.Mounted in top surface 1926 of base portion 1912 may be a transparent ortranslucent window 1928, shown partially cut away to reveal LEDs 1924.Window 1928 protects LEDs 1924 from dust and insect debris, and allowsbase portion 1912 to be easily cleaned. In some embodiments, top surface1926 has one or more snap protrusions 1956, preferably on the front andrear portions of top surface 1926, although snap protrusions 1956 may belocated anywhere on top surface 1926. In some embodiments, snapprotrusions 1956 are configured such that at least a portion of theirdistal portions are larger in width and/or depth than at least a portionof their proximal portions, thereby creating features known asundercuts. Front housing 1918 and/or rear housing 1940 of trap portion1914 may have one or more snap recesses 1958 that correspond in size,shape and location to snap protrusions 1956 on base portion 1912, exceptthat the undercuts on snap recesses 1958 may be configured such that atleast a portion of their proximal portions are larger in width and/ordepth than at least a portion of their distal portions. When trapportion 1914 is mounted to base portion 1912, the undercuts on snapprotrusions 1956 and the undercuts on snap recesses 1958 engage tocreate a secure but removable attachment known as a snap fit. The snapfit between base portion 1912 and trap portion 1914 may provide apositive tactile and audible cue to reassure a user that trap portion1914 is properly engaged with base portion 1912. The snap fit betweenbase portion 1912 and trap portion 1914 may allow trap portion 1914 tobe securely but removably mounted to base portion 1912 when insect trap1910 is in use, and may allow the user to easily remove trap portion1914 from base portion 1912 without damaging trap portion 1914 or baseportion 1912 and without the user contacting trapped insects. In someembodiments, the snap fit between base portion 1912 and trap portion1914 is configured to allow the user to easily remove and replace trapportion 1914 from base portion 1912 using only one hand, while baseportion 1912 remains securely but removably plugged into an electricalwall socket. In some embodiments, the snap fit between base portion 1912and trap portion 1914 is configured to allow trap portion 1914 to bemounted to base portion 1912 with a downward force of not greater thane.g., 50 Newtons, and to allow trap portion 1914 to be removed from baseportion 1912 with an upward force of not greater than e.g., 50 Newtons.Although a snap fit may be preferred, other features or combinations offeatures may be contemplated to securely but removably attach trapportion 1914 to base portion 1912.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional, view through insect trap 1910. In someembodiments, the light emitted from each of LEDs 1924 has a primarydirection 1954. Trap portion 1914 includes a divider 1934 with a frontsurface 1938. In some embodiments, divider 1934 is constructed from orincludes a transparent or translucent material and may be coated with atransparent or translucent adhesive 1936 on front surface 1938. In someembodiments, divider 1934 is configured to polarize light transmittedthrough it in an orientation similar to that of daylight to furtherattract flying insects, a wide variety of which are known to detectpolarized light. In some embodiments, the material and thickness ofdivider 1934 and the material and thickness of adhesive 1936 areselected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through divider 1934 and adhesive 1936. In some embodiments,rear housing 1940 includes a reflective-coated inside surface 1942.Alternatively, the material and surface finish of rear housing 1940 maybe configured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible and/or IR lightwithout a reflective coating. Rear housing 1940 may include an opening1944 on its bottom surface, or alternatively opening 1944 may bereplaced by a transparent or translucent window (not shown).

In some embodiments, front housing 1918 and rear housing 1940 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 1918 and rear housing 1940 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. As shown, divider 1934 is substantially planar, and may beconfigured to be parallel to, or at an angle 1952 to primary direction1954 of the light produced by LEDs 1924. Angle 1952 may preferably be anacute angle to assist in distributing the light evenly over divider1934, and may preferably be from 0° to 45°. In some embodiments, divider1934 may be formed into a convex, concave or saddle-shaped contour, or acombination of contours to optimize the even distribution of light. Insome embodiments, divider 1934 may have ribs or other features (notshown) that increase adhesive surface area and create regions oflight/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety ofinsects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 1918 may also be coated withtransparent, translucent or opaque adhesive (not shown) on its insidesurface to provide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity.In addition, front housing 1918 may also have a reflective coating (notshown) underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhanceits attraction to insects and further improve the insect trappingefficiency and effectiveness.

In some embodiments, front housing 1918, divider 1934 and rear housing1940 are joined together where they intersect or engage by ultrasonicwelding or high frequency (HF) welding, although they may also bepermanently or removably joined together by gluing or any other suitableassembly method. The materials of trap portion 1914 may also include oneor more insect attractants. For example, trap portion 1914 may beimpregnated with one or more of insect-attracting substances known inthe art, including sorbitol, coleopteran attractants includingbrevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol,japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure,sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure,cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure,homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteran attractantssuch as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromones includingcodlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, andostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol,and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that may furtherincrease the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 1910. In suchembodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 1014.Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in a separatepiece (not shown) that mounts on an inside surface of front housing 1918or through an opening in front housing 1918 or on front surface 1938 ofdivider 1934. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable byan insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 1910.Divider 1934 separates trap portion 1914 into a front enclosure 1946 anda rear enclosure 1948. In some embodiments, base portion 1912 includes acircuit board 1950 having a programmable processor or chip (not shown)for executing commands, electrically connected to conductive prongs1922, only one of which is shown, and LEDs 1924, only one of which isshown. For clarity, however, not all of the electrical connections areshown. Circuit board 1950 may include electronic circuitry to receiveordinary household current from conductive prongs 1922 and provide powerto illuminate LEDs 1924. Circuit board 1950 may include an energystabilizer such as a full wave rectifier circuit or any other circuitthat provides steady voltage to LEDs 1924, although it may also providea varying voltage to LEDs 1924 to provide a flickering light that mimicsmovement that some insect species, including mosquitoes, may findattractive. For example, light flickering frequencies in the approximaterange of 0.05 Hz (e.g., to mimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to250 Hz (e.g., the highest flicker frequency to attract male houseflies),may be desirable and the lighting element may be configured to flickerwithin this range. Circuit board 1950 may provide power to LEDs 1924 toprovide UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may be configuredto provide power to only UV LEDs 1924 or to only visible light LEDs 1924or to only IR LEDs 1924, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 1950 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 1912 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects such asmosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more ofinsect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 1910. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 1910.

In the operation of insect trap 1910, conductive prongs 1922 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and trap portion 1914 is mountedto base portion 1912 by engaging snap recesses 1958 (not shown) of trapportion 1914 with their corresponding snap protrusions 1956 (not shown)on base portion 1912. LEDs 1924 emit light, represented by arrows, whichtransmit through window 1928 in base portion 1912, through opening 1944in rear housing 1940 of trap portion 1914, into rear enclosure 1948, anddirectly onto inside surface 1942 of rear housing 1940 and onto a rearsurface 1960 of divider 1934. For clarity, the arrows representing thelight are only shown emitted from one of LEDs 1924. In some embodiments,light is not manipulated in base portion 1912 and is emitted directlyinto trap portion 1914. Inside surface 1942 of rear housing 1940 mayinclude a concave shape and may be configured to reflect and dispersethe UV and visible light from LEDs 1924 to distribute the light evenlyonto rear surface 1960 of divider 1934, although the shape of insidesurface 1942 of rear housing 1940 may have a convex shape or a saddleshape or a combination of shapes (not shown), or may also have ribs orother features to more evenly distribute the light. Alternatively, anoptical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens (not shown) or any otherlens or combination of lenses configured to distribute the UV andvisible light (e.g., evenly, according to specific patterns, at a focalpoint, etc.) onto rear surface 1960 of divider 1934, may be mounted torear housing 1940 at or near opening 1944 or to base portion 1912 at ornear window 1928, and may replace or augment the role of inside surface1942 of rear housing 1940. In some embodiments, the light from LEDs 1924may directly strike rear surface 1960 of divider 1934 at an obliqueangle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and may bespread across divider 1934, and may replace or augment the role ofinside surface 1942 of rear housing 1940 or of the lens or lensesmounted to rear housing 1940.

Thereafter, light transmits through divider 1934 and adhesive 1936 onfront surface 1938, and into front enclosure 1946. The light may befurther evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider1934, adhesive 1936 on front surface 1938, or both. A portion of thelight entering front enclosure 1946 continues through opening 1920 infront housing 1918 and into the area where the trap is installed.Insects are attracted to the UV and/or visible light transmitted throughadhesive 1936 and through opening 1920 in front housing 1918, and fly orcrawl into opening 1920 and onto adhesive 1936, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening1920 in front housing 1918. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire usedtrap portion 1914 without touching the trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 1914, andreplace it with a new trap portion 1914. New trap portion 1914 has freshadhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuring thatinsect trap 1910 will continue to efficiently and effectively attractand trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 1914 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 1912, insect trap 1910 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 1910 is configured such that when insect trap1910 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 1910 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 1910 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 1914. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 1914. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 1942, divider 1934and adhesive 1936). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 1936. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 1936 orwithin trap portion 1914, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 1910 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 1914 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 1912, each trap portion 1914 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flying ornon-flying insect. For example, the overall size and shape of trapportion 1914, and the size, shape, location and orientation of openings1920 in front housing 1918 of trap portion 1914, may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species offlying or non-flying insect.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 1914 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 1914 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 1914 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm highand 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 1912 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 1912 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 1912 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 1920 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 1920 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 1920 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 1920 is circular, opening 1920 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 1920 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 1920 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening1920 is slot shaped, opening 1920 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening1920 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 1920 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 1920 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 1918. For example, opening 1920 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 1918. Insome embodiments, opening 1920 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 1918. In some embodiments, opening 1920covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing1918.

FIG. 50 is a front perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2010. Insect trap 2010 may include abase portion 2012 and a removable trap portion 2014. Trap portion 2014is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 2012 in thisview. Trap portion 2014 includes a divider 2034 and a front housing 2018with at least one opening 2020 in a front surface 2016. Opening 2020 infront housing 2018 may be configured to admit a wide variety of insectsinto insect trap 2010, or alternatively it may be configured to admitone or more specific insect species. In some embodiments, opening 2020is configured to prevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 2020and inadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 2014. In some embodiments, opening 2020 maypreferably have a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diametercannot pass through opening 2020, and has a size and shape such that asphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portion of opening 2020.Opening 2020 may be of uniform or of varying width, shape andorientation, and if trap portion 2014 has more than one opening 2020,they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapes andorientations. Opening 2020 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. The fronthousing 2018 may also include a window 2060, although an opening maytake the place of window 2060. In some embodiments, divider 2034 isconstructed from or includes a transparent or translucent material andmay be coated with a transparent or translucent adhesive 2036 on a frontsurface 2038. During use, one or more trapped insects 2058 may adhere toadhesive 2036 on front surface 2038 of divider 2034. In someembodiments, divider 2034 may also be configured to polarize lighttransmitted through it in an orientation similar to that of daylight tofurther attract flying insects, a wide variety of which are known todetect polarized light. Protruding from a rear surface 2064 (shown inFIG. 51 ) of base portion 2012 may be a plurality of electricallyconductive prongs 2022, adapted to mount insect trap 2010 to a wall andprovide power to insect trap 2010 by inserting conductive prongs 2022into a standard household electrical wall socket. Alternatively, baseportion 2012 may be configured to sit or hang wherever desired andreceive power from batteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 2012.While an electrical socket and batteries have been described asproviding power to insect trap 2010, any suitable power source may beused. Base portion 2012 includes a lighting element such as one or moreLEDs 2024. In some embodiments, LEDs 2024 include at least one thatemits UV light and at least one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 2024 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs2024 include at least one that emits IR light to better attract certainspecies of insects including mosquitos and fleas. In a top surface 2026of base portion 2012 is an opening 2052, which may be covered by atransparent or translucent window 2028, shown partially cut away toreveal LEDs 2024. One of ordinary skill in the art would realize thatopenings and windows (e.g., 2052 and 2028) as described herein ordepicted in the accompanying drawings may vary in size and/orpositioning, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Window2028 protects LEDs 2024 from dust and insect debris, and may allow baseportion 2012 to be easily cleaned. In some embodiments, at least aportion of window 2028 and at least a portion of LEDs 2024 protrude fromtop surface 2026 of base portion 2012 and into trap portion 2014 whentrap portion 2014 is mounted to base portion 2012. In some embodiments,base portion does not include window 2028, and at least a portion ofLEDs 2024 protrude from top surface 2026 of base portion 2012 and intotrap portion 2014 when trap portion 2014 is mounted to base portion2012. In some embodiments, mounted in an opening 2054 of top surface2026 is a photosensor 2056, preferably a photoresistor, although aphotovoltaic cell, a photodiode, a phototransistor, or any sensor thatdetects light and responds by changing its electrical characteristicsmay be used. Also in top surface 2026 may be a slot 2030, and on theperimeter of top surface 2026 is a rim or upwardly directed protrusions2032.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 2010. Trap portion2014 includes a rear housing 2040 with an inside surface 2042. In someembodiments, inside surface 2042 has a reflective coating. In someembodiments, the material and surface finish of rear housing 2040 may beconfigured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible and/or IR lightwithout a reflective coating. In some embodiments, the material andthickness of divider 2034 and the material and thickness of adhesive2036 are selected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/orvisible and/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through divider 2034 and adhesive 2036. Rear housing 2040may include an opening 2044 on its bottom face, or alternatively opening2044 may be replaced by a transparent or translucent window (not shown).

In some embodiments, front housing 2018 and rear housing 2040 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may also beused. In some embodiments, front housing 2018 and rear housing 2040 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. As shown, divider 2034 is substantially planar, and may beconfigured to be parallel to, or at an angle to the primary direction ofthe light (not shown) produced by LEDs 2024. Alternatively, divider 2034may be formed into a convex, concave or saddle-shaped contour (notshown), or a combination of contours to optimize the even distributionof light. In some embodiments, divider 2034 has ribs or other features(not shown) that increase adhesive surface area and create regions oflight/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety ofinsects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 2018 is coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive (not shown) on its inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 2018 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness.

In some embodiments, front housing 2018, divider 2034 and rear housing2040 are joined together where they intersect or engage with anadhesive, although they may also be joined by other commonly usedpackaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or RF sealing,or any other suitable assembly method. As shown, divider 2034 mayseparate trap portion 2014 into a front enclosure 2046 and a rearenclosure 2048. In some embodiments, base portion 2012 includes acircuit board 2050 having a programmable processor or chip (not shown)for executing commands, electrically connected to conductive prongs2022, only one of which is shown, and LEDs 2024. For clarity, however,not all of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board 2050 mayinclude electronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current, forexample, from conductive prongs 2022 and provide power to illuminateLEDs 2024. Circuit board 2050 may include an energy stabilizer such as afull wave rectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steadyvoltage to LEDs 2024, although it may also provide a varying voltage toLEDs 2024 to provide a flickering light which mimics movement that someinsect species, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example,light flickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g.,to mimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., thehighest flicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirableand the lighting element may be configured to flicker within this range.Circuit board 2050 may provide power to LEDs 2024 to provide UV and/orvisible and/or IR light, although it may be configured to provide powerto only the UV LEDs 2024 or to only the visible light LEDs 2024 or toonly the IR LEDs 2024, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 2050 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 2012 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects such asmosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more ofinsect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2010. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2010.

As shown, slot 2030 in top surface 2026 of base portion 2012 and rim orprotrusions 2032 on top surface 2026 of base portion 2012 engage withtrap portion 2014 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that may allow trap portion 2014to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 2012.

In the operation of insect trap 2010, conductive prongs 2022, only oneof which is shown, are inserted into a wall electrical socket. Circuitboard 2050 provides power to LEDs 2024 and to photosensor 2056. LEDs2024 emit light, represented by arrows, which transmits through window2028 in base portion 2012, through opening 2044 in rear housing 2040 oftrap portion 2014, into rear enclosure 2048, and directly onto insidesurface 2042 of rear housing 2040 and a rear surface 2062 of divider2034. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 2012and is emitted directly into trap portion 2014. Inside surface 2042 ofrear housing 2040 may include a concave shape and may be configured toreflect and disperse the UV and visible light from LEDs 2024 todistribute the light evenly onto rear surface 2062 of divider 2034,although the shape of inside surface 2042 of rear housing 2040 may havea convex shape or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or may alsohave ribs or other features (not shown) to more evenly distribute thelight. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens(not shown) or any other lens or combination of lenses configured todistribute the UV and visible light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 2062 of divider2034, may be mounted to rear housing 2040 at or near opening 2044 or tobase portion 2012 at or near opening 2052, and may replace or augmentthe role of inside surface 2042 of rear housing 2040. In someembodiments, the light from LEDs 2024 may directly strike rear surface2062 of divider 2034 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle fromapproximately 0° to 90°) and may be spread across divider 2034, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface 2042 of rear housing 2040or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 2040.

Thereafter, the light transmits through divider 2034 and adhesive 2036on front surface 2038, and into front enclosure 2046. Thelight-diffusing properties of divider 2034, adhesive 2036, or both mayfurther evenly distribute the light. A portion of the light enteringfront enclosure 2046 continues through opening 2020 in front housing2018 and emits into the surrounding area where insect trap 2010 isinstalled. Insects are attracted to the UV and/or visible lighttransmitted through adhesive 2036 and through opening 2020 in fronthousing 2018, and fly or crawl into opening 2020 and onto adhesive 2036,where they become trapped. Trapped insects 2058 reduce the amount lighttransmitted into front enclosure 2046. Photosensor 2056 detects thisreduction in light and responds by changing its electrical properties.Circuit board 2050 responds to changes in electrical properties thatexceed a predetermined threshold by causing LEDs 2024 to blink on andoff, thereby providing an indicator feature signaling that trap portion2014 may need to be replaced. Alternatively, other visual indicatorfeatures, such as a change in the color of the light (e.g., to yellow,orange or red) or an audible indicator feature such as a tone, chime orvoice, may augment or replace the blinking light indicator feature. Insome embodiments, circuit board 2050 is configured to avoid respondinginadvertently to changes in the ambient light levels by periodicallypulsing or varying the light emitting from LEDs 2024, preferably at afaster rate than is distinguishable by the human eye, detecting thechanges in electrical properties of photosensor 2056 resulting from theperiodic pulses of light, and responding to the changes that exceed apredetermined threshold by causing LEDs 2024 to blink on and off. A usermay notice the blinking light emitting from insect trap 2010 and observetrapped insects 2058 by looking through opening 2020 in front housing2018. The user may easily remove and discard the entire used trapportion 2014 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 2014, andreplace it with a new trap portion 2014. The new trap portion 2014 hasfresh adhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuringthat insect trap 2010 will continue to efficiently and effectivelyattract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2014 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 2012, insect trap 2010 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 2010 is configured such that when insect trap2010 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 2010 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2010 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2014. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2014. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 2042, divider 2034and adhesive 2036). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2036. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on the adhesive 2036or within trap portion 2014, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 2010 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2014 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2012, each trap portion 2014 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flying ornon-flying insect. For example, the overall size and shape of trapportion 2014, the size, shape, location and orientation of opening 2020in front housing 2018 of trap portion 2014, and the natural frequencyand sound amplifying properties of trap portion 2014 may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species offlying insect. For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2014 isapproximately 20 mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 2014 is approximately 20 mmto 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 2014 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 2012 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 2012 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 2012 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 2020 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 2020 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 2020 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 2020 is circular, opening 2020 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 2020 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 2020 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening2020 is slot shaped, opening 2020 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening2020 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 2020 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 2020 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 2018. For example, opening 2020 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 2018. Insome embodiments, opening 2020 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 2018. In some embodiments, opening 2020covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing2018.

FIG. 52 is a rear perspective view of a twenty-first embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2110. Insect trap 2110 includes abase portion 2112 and a removable trap portion 2114. Trap portion 2114is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 2112 in thisview. Trap portion 2114 includes a front housing 2118 with at least oneopening 2120 in its front surface 2116 (shown in FIG. 53 ), a rearhousing 2140, and a divider 2134 with a rear surface 2152. Affixed torear surface 2152 of divider 2134 is an electromechanical actuator 2154,preferably a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricactuator. Attached to actuator 2154 are electric trap wires 2156. Whiletwo trap wires 2156 are shown attached to actuator 2154, any suitablenumber may be used. Rear housing 2140 may include an opening 2144 on itsbottom surface, or alternatively opening 2144 may be replaced by atransparent or translucent window (not shown).

Protruding from a rear surface 2172 of base portion 2112 are a pluralityof electrically conductive prongs 2122, adapted to mount insect trap2110 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 2110 by insertingconductive prongs 2122 into a standard household electrical wall socket.Alternatively, base portion 2112 may be configured to sit or hangwherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown) mounted inbase portion 2112. While an electrical socket and batteries have beendescribed as providing power to insect trap 2110, any suitable powersource may be used. Base portion 2112 includes a lighting element suchas one or more LEDs 2124. In some embodiments, LEDs 2124 include atleast one that emits UV light and at least one emits visible light. Insome embodiments, LEDs 2124 include at least one that emits UV light andat least one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs2124 include at least one that emits IR light to better attract certainspecies of insects such as mosquitos and fleas. A top surface 2126 ofbase portion 2112 includes an opening 2166, which may be covered by atransparent or translucent window 2128, shown partially cut away toreveal LEDs 2124. Window 2128 protects LEDs 2124 from dust and insectdebris, and allows base portion 2112 to be easily cleaned. In someembodiments, at least a portion of window 2128 and at least a portion ofLEDs 2124 protrude from top surface 2126 of base portion 2112, andprotrude into trap portion 2114 when trap portion 2114 is mounted tobase portion 2112. In some embodiments, base portion 2112 does notinclude a window 2128, and at least a portion of LEDs 2124 protrude fromtop surface 2126 of base portion 2112 and protrude into trap portion2114 when trap portion 2114 is mounted to base portion 2112. Mounted inone or more additional openings 2158 in top surface 2126 of base portion2112 is a plurality of electrical base contacts 2160. While two basecontacts 2160 are shown, any suitable number may be used. In top surface2126 may be a slot 2130, and on the perimeter of top surface 2126 is arim or upwardly directed protrusions 2132.

FIG. 53 is a front perspective view of insect trap 2110. Trap portion2114 is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 2112 inthis view. Opening 2120 in front housing 2118 may be configured to admita wide variety of insects into insect trap 2110, or alternatively it maybe configured to admit one or more specific insect species. In someembodiments, opening 2120 is configured to prevent user’s fingers frompenetrating opening 2120 and inadvertently touching trapped insects oradhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 2114. In someembodiments, opening 2120 has a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mmin diameter cannot pass through opening 2120, and has a size and shapesuch that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portion ofopening 2120. Opening 2120 may be of uniform or of varying width, shapeand orientation, and if trap portion 2114 has more than one opening2120, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapes andorientations. Opening 2120 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. In someembodiments, divider 2134 is constructed from or includes a transparentor translucent material and may be coated with a transparent ortranslucent adhesive 2136 on its front surface 2138. During use, trappedinsects 2170 may adhere to adhesive 2136 on front surface 2138 ofdivider 2134. In some embodiments, the material and thickness of divider2134 and the material and thickness of adhesive 2136 are selected totransmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/or visible and/or IRlight, for example greater than 60% of the light is transmitted throughdivider 2134 and adhesive 2136.

In some embodiments, divider 2134 may also be configured to polarizelight transmitted through it in an orientation similar to that ofdaylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of which areknown to detect polarized light. In some embodiments, mounted on theinside bottom of front housing 2118 is an insert 2168 configured toreflect and polarize light in an orientation similar to that of lightreflecting from the surface of water to better attract a variety ofinsect species, especially those that breed near water. Insert 2168 maybe configured of material that reflects and polarizes light, and mayhave ridges or other surface or subsurface features to enhance itsreflecting and/or polarizing properties, thereby further attractinginsects.

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap and FIG. 55 is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 54 . In some embodiments, rearhousing 2140 may have a reflective-coated inside surface 2142.Alternatively, the material and surface finish of rear housing 2140 maybe configured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible and/or IR lightwithout a reflective coating.

In some embodiments, front housing 2118 and rear housing 2140 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may beused. In some embodiments, front housing 2118 and rear housing 2140 areconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. As shown, divider 2134 is substantially planar, and may beconfigured to be parallel to, or at an angle to the primary direction ofthe light produced by LEDs 2124. In some embodiments, divider 2134 maybe formed into a convex, concave or saddle-shaped contour, or acombination of contours to optimize the even distribution of light. Insome embodiments, divider 2134 may have ribs or other features (notshown) that increase adhesive surface area and create regions oflight/dark contrast, which are highly visible to a wide variety ofinsects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 2118 may also be coated withtransparent, translucent or opaque adhesive on its inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 2118 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 2118, divider 2134and rear housing 2140 are joined together where they intersect or engageby ultrasonic welding or high frequency (HF) welding, although they mayalso be permanently or removably joined together by gluing or any othersuitable assembly method. Divider 2134 separates trap portion 2114 intoa front enclosure 2146 and a rear enclosure 2148. Rear housing 2140includes a plurality of electrical trap contacts 2162 (only one of whichis shown) that correspond to base contacts 2160 in base portion 2112.Trap contacts 2162 are electrically connected to their correspondingtrap wires 2156 and are configured to create an electrical contact withbase contacts 2160 (only one of which is shown) when trap portion 2114is mounted to base portion 2112. In some embodiments, base portion 2112includes a circuit board 2150, having a programmable processor or chip(not shown) for executing commands, electrically connected to conductiveprongs 2122 (only one of which is shown), LEDs 2124 (only one of whichis shown), and a plurality of electric base wires 2164, that correspondto, and are electrically connected to, base contacts 2160. Accordingly,actuator 2154, mounted on rear surface 2152 of divider 2134, may beelectrically connected to circuit board 2150 when trap portion 2114 ismounted to base portion 2112. For clarity, however, not all of theelectrical connections are shown. Circuit board 2150 may includeelectronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 2122 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 2124.Circuit board 2150 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage toLEDs 2124, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 2124to provide a flickering light which mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and thelighting element may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuitboard 2150 may provide power to LEDs 2124 to provide UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, although it may be configured to provide power to onlyUV LEDs 2124 or to only visible light LEDs 2124 or to only IR LEDs 2124,or to provide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UVand/or visible and/or IR light. Circuit board 2150 may also beconfigured to power actuator 2154 mounted on rear surface 2152 ofdivider 2134 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes,midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more of insect call,reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2110. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2110.

As shown, slot 2130 in top surface 2126 of base portion 2112 and rim orprotrusions 2132 on top surface 2126 of base portion 2112 engage withtrap portion 2114 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion 2114 tobe securely but removably mounted on base portion 2112.

In the operation of insect trap 2110, conductive prongs 2122 areinserted into a wall electrical socket. Circuit board 2150 providespower to LEDs 2124 and to actuator 2154. LEDs 2124 emit light,represented by arrows, which transmits through window 2128 in baseportion 2112, through opening 2144 in rear housing 2140 of trap portion2114, into the rear enclosure 2148, and directly onto inside surface2142 of rear housing 2140 and rear surface 2152 of divider 2134. In someembodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 2112 and isemitted directly into trap portion 2114. Inside surface 2142 of rearhousing 2140 may include a concave shape and may be configured toreflect and disperse the UV and visible light from LEDs 2124 todistribute the light evenly onto rear surface 2152 of divider 2134,although the shape of inside surface 2142 of rear housing 2140 may havea convex shape or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or may alsohave ribs or other features (not shown) to more evenly distribute thelight. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens orany other lens or combination of lenses (not shown) configured todistribute the UV and visible light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 2152 of divider2134, may be mounted to rear housing 2140 at or near opening 2144 or tobase portion 2112 at or near opening 2166, and may replace or augmentthe role of inside surface 2142 of rear housing 2140. In someembodiments, the light from LEDs 2124 directly strikes rear surface 2152of divider 2134 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle fromapproximately 0° to 90°) and spreads across divider 2134, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface 2142 of rear housing 2140or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 2140 or to base portion2112.

Thereafter, the light transmits through divider 2134 and adhesive 2136on front surface 2138, and into front enclosure 2146. The light may befurther evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider2134, adhesive 2136 on front surface 2138, or both. A portion of thelight entering front enclosure 2146 continues through opening 2120 infront housing 2118 and into the area where the trap is installed.Actuator 2154 produces insect-attracting vibrations, which are amplifiedby divider 2134, and transmit through front enclosure and out throughopening 2120. Insects are attracted to the UV and/or visible lighttransmitted through adhesive 2136 and through opening 2120 in fronthousing 2118. Insects are also attracted to the insect-attractingvibrations produced by actuator 2154. Insects fly or crawl into opening2120 and onto adhesive 2136, where they become trapped. A user mayobserve trapped insects by looking through opening 2120 in front housing2118. In some embodiments, circuit board 2150 periodically sendselectrical pulses to actuator 2154, causing divider 2134 to vibrate. Thevibrations in divider 2134 in turn cause actuator 2154 to createelectrical response signals such as changes of voltage, resistance orcharge. When trapped insects 2170 become stuck in adhesive 2136, theychange the vibration characteristics of divider 2134, and thereby changethe electrical response signals from actuator 2154. Circuit board 2150is configured such that when a sufficient number of trapped insects 2170are stuck in adhesive 2136, circuit board 2150 responds to the change inelectrical response signals exceeding a predetermined threshold fromactuator 2154 and cause LEDs 2124 to blink on and off, indicating thattrap portion 2114 may need to be replaced. Alternatively, other visualindicator features, such as a change in the color of the light (e.g., toyellow, orange or red) or an audible indicator feature such as a tone,chime or voice, may augment or replace the blinking light indicatorfeature. The user may easily remove and discard the entire used trapportion 2114 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 2114, andreplace it with a new trap portion 2114. The new trap portion 2114 hasfresh adhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuringthat insect trap 2110 will continue to efficiently and effectivelyattract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2114 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 2112, insect trap 2110 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 2110 is configured such that when insect trap2110 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 2110 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2110 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2114. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2114. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 2142, divider 2134and adhesive 2136). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2136. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2136 orwithin trap portion 2114, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 2110 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2114 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2112, each trap portion 2114 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flying ornon-flying insect. For example, the overall size and shape of trapportion 2114, the size, shape, location and orientation of opening 2120in front housing 2118 of trap portion 2114, the vibration-producingproperties of actuator 2154, the natural frequency and sound amplifyingproperties of trap portion 2114 and the electrical response signals fromactuator 2154 may be uniquely configured to attract and trap a specificspecies or multiple species of flying or non-flying insect. For example,in some embodiments, trap portion 2114 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In some embodiments,trap portion 2114 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20 mm to 200 mmhigh and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trap portion 2114 isapproximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm high and 5 mm to 50mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 2112 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 2112 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 2112 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 2120 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 2120 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 2120 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 2120 is circular, opening 2120 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 2120 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 2120 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening2120 is slot shaped, opening 2120 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening2120 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 2120 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 2120 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 2118. For example, opening 2120 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 2118. Insome embodiments, opening 2120 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 2118. In some embodiments, opening 2120covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing2118.

FIG. 56 is a front perspective view of a twenty-second embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2210. Insect trap 2210 includes abase portion 2212 and a removable trap portion 2214. Trap portion 2214is shown removed from base portion 2212 in this view. Trap portion 2214includes a front housing 2218 with a tab slot 2268 and at least oneopening 2220 in a front surface 2216. Opening 2220 in front housing 2218may be configured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap2210, or alternatively it may be configured to admit one or morespecific insect species. In some embodiments, opening 2220 is configuredto prevent user’s fingers from penetrating opening 2220 andinadvertently touching dead insects or adhesive when removing andreplacing trap portion 2214. In some embodiments, opening 2220 has asize and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass throughopening 2220, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1 mm indiameter can pass through any portion of opening 2220. Opening 2220 maybe of uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, and if trapportion 2214 has more than one opening 2220, they may be of identical orof differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 2220 may beconfigured to attract one or more individual insect species or a varietyof insect species. In some embodiments, front housing 2218 is configuredwith ribs or reliefs 2270 surrounding opening 2220 to confer stiffnessand strength to trap portion 2210 and to enable front housing 2218 to bemade of thinner material. As shown, protruding from tab slot 2268 infront housing 2218 in trap portion 2214 is a removable tab 2254.Protruding from a rear surface 2278 (shown in FIG. 59 ) of base portion2212 are a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 2222, adapted tomount insect trap 2210 to a wall and provide power to insect trap 2210by inserting conductive prongs 2222 into a standard household electricalwall socket. Alternatively, base portion 2212 may be configured to sitor hang wherever desired and receive power from batteries (not shown)mounted in base portion 2212. While an electrical socket and batterieshave been described as providing power to insect trap 2210, any suitablepower source may be used. Base portion 2212 includes a top surface 2226and a lighting element such as one or more LEDs 2224. In someembodiments, LEDs 2224 includes at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits visible light. In some embodiments, LEDs 2224includes at least one that emits UV light and at least one that emitsblue light to better attract a wide variety of insect species. In someembodiments, the lighting element emits a combination of wavelengths tomimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs 2224 include at least one thatemits infrared (IR) light to better attract certain species of insectssuch as mosquitos and fleas. Mounted in top surface 2226 of base portion2212 may be a transparent or translucent window 2228, shown partiallycut away to reveal LEDs 2224. Window 2228 protects LEDs 2224 from dustand insect debris, and allows base portion 2212 to be easily cleaned. Insome embodiments, at least a portion of window 2228 and at least aportion of LEDs 2224 protrude from top surface 2226 of base portion 2212and into trap portion 2214 when trap portion 2214 is mounted to the baseportion 2212. Alternatively, base portion 2212 may not include window2228, and at least a portion of LEDs 2224 protrude from top surface 2226of base portion 2212, and into trap portion 2214 when trap portion 2214is mounted to base portion 2212. In top surface 2226 may be a slot 2230,and on the perimeter of top surface 2226 is a rim or upwardly directedprotrusions 2232.

FIG. 57 is a front perspective view of insect trap 2210. Trap portion2214 is shown partially cut away in this view. In some embodiments, trapportion 2214 includes a divider 2234, constructed from or including atransparent or translucent material and coated with a transparent ortranslucent adhesive 2236 on its front surface 2238. In someembodiments, divider 2234 is configured to polarize light transmittedthrough it in an orientation similar to that of daylight to furtherattract flying insects, a wide variety of which are known to detectpolarized light. In some embodiments, the material and thickness ofdivider 2234 and the material and thickness of adhesive 2236 areselected to transmit a substantial proportion of the UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, for example greater than 60% of the light istransmitted through divider 2234 and adhesive 2236. Divider 2234 mayinclude a divider slot 2272 and one or more perforations 2274. In someembodiments, the regions on front surface 2238 of divider 2234immediately around divider slot 2272 and perforations 2274 are notcoated with adhesive 2236. Trap portion 2214 includes a rear housing2240 with an inside surface 2242 and a bottom inside surface 2276. Asshown, an upwardly-facing cup 2256 is mounted on bottom inside surface2276 of rear housing 2240. Cup 2256 may have a lip 2258 protruding fromthe perimeter of its open end. Cup 2256 may be constructed of anymaterial or combination of materials that act as a barrier to any of theinsect-attracting substances mentioned herein. Removable tab 2254includes a sealing end 2260 and a web 2264 between sealing end 2260 anda grip end 2262, and may be made of any flexible and durable material orcombination of materials that act as a barrier to any of theinsect-attracting substances mentioned herein. As shown, sealing end2260 is configured to cover the open end of cup 2256, and is affixed tolip 2258 of cup 2256 with an adhesive to create an airtight seal,thereby maintaining the freshness of any insect-attracting substances(not shown) inside cup 2256, as well as holding removable tab 2254 inplace until it is removed by a user. Web 2264 may be folded over sealingend 2260 of removable tab 2254 and extends through divider slot 2272 individer 2234 to tab slot 2268 in front housing 2218. Grip end 2262 ofremovable tab 2254 protrudes through tab slot 2268 and may be foldeddownwards over an outside portion of front housing 2218.

FIG. 58 is a front perspective view of insect trap 2210. Trap portion2214 is shown partially cut away and removable tab 2254 partiallyremoved in this view. A user may grasp removable tab 2254 at grip end2262 and may pull removable tab 2254 away from trap portion 2214,thereby breaking the seal between lip 2258 of cup 2256 and sealing end2260 of removable tab 2254. Inside cup 2256 is a carrier material 2266impregnated with one or more of insect-attracting substances. Forexample, carrier material 2266 may be impregnated with sorbitol,coleopteran attractants including brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin,grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid,multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteranattractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun,muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure,lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteranpheromones including codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure,orfralure, and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol,methyl eugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent thatmay further increase the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap2210. Breaking the seal between cup 2256 and removable tab 2254 releasesthe insect-attracting scent or scents from the carrier material 2266..The materials of trap portion 2214 (e.g., front housing 2218, rearhousing 2240, divider 2234 and adhesive 2236) may also be impregnatedwith one or more insect attractants. It is desirable for suchattractants to be detectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meterradius from insect trap 2210.

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 2210. Removabletab 2254 has been completely removed in this view. In some embodiments,inside surface 2242 of rear housing 2240 has a reflective coating.Alternatively, the material and surface finish of rear housing 2240 maybe configured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible light without areflective coating. Rear housing 2240 may include an opening 2244 in itsbottom face, or alternatively opening 2244 may be replaced by atransparent or translucent window (not shown).

In some embodiments, front housing 2218 and rear housing 2240 arethermoformed from opaque sheet plastic, creating a clean andaesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining low cost anddisposability. Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucentmaterials such as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may beused. In some embodiments, front housing 2218 and rear housing 2240 aremade by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturing techniques.As shown, divider 2234 has a rear surface 2252, and is substantiallyplanar, and may be configured to be parallel to, or at an angle to, theprimary direction (not shown) of the light produced by LEDs 2224. Insome embodiments, divider 2234 may be formed into a convex, concave orsaddle-shaped contour (not shown), or a combination of contours tooptimize the even distribution of light. In some embodiments, divider2234 may have ribs or other features (not shown) that increase adhesivesurface area and create regions of light/dark contrast, which are highlyvisible to a wide variety of insects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 2218 is coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive (not shown) on its inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 2218 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 2218, divider 2234and rear housing 2240 are joined together where they intersect or engageby ultrasonic welding or high frequency welding, although they may alsobe permanently or removably joined together by gluing or any othersuitable assembly method. Divider 2234 separates trap portion 2214 intoa front enclosure 2246 and a rear enclosure 2248.

In some embodiments, base portion 2212 includes a circuit board 2250having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 2222 (only one ofwhich is shown) and LEDs 2224 (only one of which is shown). For clarity,not all of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board 2250 mayinclude electronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 2222 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 2224.Circuit board 2250 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage toLEDs 2224, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 2224to provide a flickering light that mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and thelighting element may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuitboard 2250 may provide power to LEDs 2224 to provide UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, although it may be configured to provide power to onlythe UV LEDs 2224 or to only the visible light LEDs 2224 or to only theIR LEDs 2224, or to provide variable power to produce combinations offlickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuit board 2250 mayalso be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as apiezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may be mounted inbase portion 2212 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect sounds or vibrations to better attract insects such asmosquitoes, midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more ofinsect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments,the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2210. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2210.

As shown, slot 2230 in top surface 2226 of base portion 2212 and rim orprotrusions 2232 on top surface 2226 of base portion 2212 engage withtrap portion 2214 to secure it in place during use, although any otherform of attachment may be substituted that may allow trap portion 2214to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 2212.

In the operation of insect trap 2210, conductive prongs 2222 (only oneof which is shown), are inserted into a wall electrical socket, andremovable tab 2254 (not shown) is pulled from trap portion 2214 andremoved, thereby breaking the seal between cup 2256 and removable tab2254, and exposing carrier material 2266 and the insect-attractingsubstance or substances to the air and releasing an insect-attractingscent or scents through perforations 2274 (not shown in this view) individer 2234, through opening 2220 in front housing 2218 and into thesurrounding area where insect trap 2210 is installed. Cup 2256, carriermaterial 2266 and the insect-attracting substance or substances may beconfigured to release an insect-attracting scent or scents for apredetermined amount of time to correspond with the expected useful lifeof trap portion 2214, which may be e.g., a week, a month or threemonths, or another length of time. Alternatively, cup 2256, carriermaterial 2266 and the insect-attracting substance or substances may beconfigured to preferentially release one insect-attracting scent orgroup of scents earlier in the useful life of trap portion 2214 andanother insect-attracting scent or group of scents later in the usefullife of trap portion 2214 to attract more insects or a wider variety ofinsects with a changing scent, or to provide a stronger scent later inthe useful life of trap portion 2214 to compensate for the reduced lightemitted from trap portion 2214 when many insects are caught in adhesive2236. Alternatively, cup 2256 and carrier material 2266 may beconfigured to release additional scents that may mask theinsect-attracting scent or scents or mask or eliminate components of theinsect-attracting scent or scents that humans may find objectionable, orthat children or non-intended animals (e.g., pets) may find attractive,without substantially reducing their attractiveness to insects. LEDs2224 emit light, represented by arrows, which transmits through window2228 in base portion 2212, through opening 2244 in rear housing 2240 oftrap portion 2214, into rear enclosure 2248, and directly onto insidesurface 2242 of rear housing 2240 and rear surface 2252 of divider 2234.In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in base portion 2212 andis emitted directly into trap portion 2214. Inside surface 2242 of rearhousing 2240 may include a concave shape and may be configured toreflect and disperse the UV and visible light from LEDs 2224 todistribute the light evenly onto rear surface 2252 of divider 2234,although inside surface 2242 of rear housing 2240 may have a convexshape or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or may also haveribs or other features (not shown) to more evenly distribute the light.Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens (notshown) or any other lens or combination of lenses configured todistribute the UV and visible light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 2252 of divider2234, may be mounted to rear housing 2240 at or near opening 2244 or tobase portion 2212 at or near window 2228, and may replace or augment therole of inside surface 2242 of rear housing 2240. Alternatively, the UVand visible light from the one or more LEDs 2224 may directly strikerear surface 2252 of divider 2234 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acuteangle from approximately 0° to 90°) and may be spread across divider2234, and may replace or augment the role of inside surface 2242 of rearhousing 2240 or of the lens or lenses mounted to rear housing 2240.

Thereafter, the light transmits through divider 2234 and adhesive 2236on its front surface 2238, and into front enclosure 2246. The light maybe further evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties ofdivider 2234, adhesive 2236, or both. A portion of the light enteringfront enclosure 2246 continues through opening 2220 in front housing2218 and emits into the surrounding area where insect trap 2210 isinstalled. Insects are attracted to the light transmitted throughadhesive 2236 and through opening 2220 in front housing 2218. Insectsare also attracted to the scents and/or pheromones released from carriermaterial 2266 in cup 2256. In addition, heat generated by circuit board2250 may warm carrier material 2266, and may thereby increase therelease of insect-attracting scents and/or pheromones. Insects fly orcrawl into opening 2220 and onto adhesive 2236, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening2220 in front housing 2218. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user may easily remove and discard the entire usedtrap portion 2214 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 2214, andreplace it with a new trap portion 2214. The new trap portion 2214 hasfresh adhesive-coated surfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuringthat insect trap 2210 will continue to efficiently and effectivelyattract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2214 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 2212, insect trap 2210 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 2210 is configured such that when insect trap2210 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 2210 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2210 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2214. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2214. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 2242, divider 2234and adhesive 2236). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2236. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2236 orwithin trap portion 2214, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 2210 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2214 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2212, each trap portion 2214 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flyinginsect. For example, the overall size and shape of trap portion 2214,the size, shape, location and orientation of opening 2220 in fronthousing 2218, and the scent or scents impregnated in carrier material2266, front housing 2218, divider 2234, adhesive 2236 or rear housing2240, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap a specific speciesor multiple species of flying insect.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2214 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 2214 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 2214 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm highand 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 2212 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 2212 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 2212 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 2220 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 2220 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 2220 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 2220 is circular, opening 2220 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 2220 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 2220 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening2220 is slot shaped, opening 2220 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening2220 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 2220 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 2220 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 2218. For example, opening 2220 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 2218. Insome embodiments, opening 2220 covers 5approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 2218. In some embodiments, opening 2220covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing2218.

FIG. 60 is a front perspective view of a twenty-third embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2310, and FIG. 61 is an enlargedview of a portion of FIG. 60 . Insect trap 2310 includes a base portion2312 and a removable trap portion 2314. Trap portion 2314 is shownpartially cut away and removed from base portion 2312 in FIG. 60 . Trapportion 2314 includes a front housing 2318 with at least one opening2320 in a front surface 2316. Opening 2320 in front housing 2318 may beconfigured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 2310, oralternatively it may be configured to admit one or more specific insectspecies. In some embodiments, opening 2320 is configured to preventuser’s fingers from penetrating opening 2320 and inadvertently touchingtrapped insects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion2314. In some embodiments, opening 2320 has a size and shape such that asphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 2320, and has asize and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through anyportion of opening 2320. Opening 2320 may be of uniform or of varyingwidth, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 2314 has more than oneopening 2320, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 2320 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. In someembodiments, front housing 2318 is configured with ribs or reliefs 2370surrounding opening 2320 to confer stiffness and strength to trapportion 2314 and to enable front housing 2318 to be made of thinnermaterial. Trap portion 2314 includes a divider 2334, constructed from orincluding a transparent or translucent material and coated with atransparent or translucent adhesive 2336 on its front surface 2338(shown in FIG. 62 ). In some embodiments, divider 2334 is configured topolarize light transmitted through it in an orientation similar to thatof daylight to further attract flying insects, a wide variety of whichare known to detect polarized light. In some embodiments, the materialand thickness of divider 2334 and the material and thickness of adhesive2336 are selected to transmit a substantial proportion of the light, forexample greater than 60% of the light is transmitted through divider2334 and adhesive 2236. Divider 2334 includes one or more perforations2374. In some embodiments, the regions on front surface 2338 of divider2334 immediately around perforations 2374 are not be coated withadhesive 2336. Trap portion 2314 includes a rear housing 2340 with aninside surface 2342 and a bottom inside surface 2376, and adownwardly-facing cup 2356. Cup 2356 may have a lip 2358 protruding fromthe perimeter of its open end, and may be made of any material orcombination of materials that act as a barrier to any of theinsect-attracting substances mentioned herein.

Protruding from a rear surface 2354 (shown in FIG. 62 ) of base portion2312 may be a plurality of electrically conductive prongs 2322, adaptedto mount insect trap 2310 to a wall and provide power to insect trap2310 by inserting conductive prongs 2322 into a standard householdelectrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 2312 may beconfigured to sit or hang wherever desired and receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 2312. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 2310, any suitable power source may be used. Base portion 2312includes a top surface 2326 and a lighting element such as one or moreLEDs 2324. In some embodiments, LEDs 2324 include at least one thatemits UV light and at least one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 2324 includes at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs2324 include at least one that emits IR light to better attract certainspecies of insects including mosquitos and fleas. Mounted in top surface2326 of base portion 2312 may be a transparent or translucent window2328, shown partially cut away to reveal LEDs 2324. Window 2328 protectsLEDs 2324 from dust and insect debris, and allows base portion 2312 tobe easily cleaned. In some embodiments, at least a portion of window2328 and at least a portion of LEDs 2324 protrude from top surface 2326of base portion 2312 and into trap portion 2314 when trap portion 2314is mounted to base portion 2312. Alternatively, base portion 2312 maynot include window 2328, and at least a portion of LEDs 2324 protrudefrom top surface 2326 of base portion 2312 and into trap portion 2314when trap portion 2314 is mounted to the base portion 2312. In topsurface 2326 may be a slot 2330, and on the perimeter of top surface2326 is a rim or upwardly directed protrusions 2332. As shown,protruding from top surface 2326 of base portion 2312 is a punch 2378with an angled top surface 2380 and one or more axial grooves 2382 thatextend through angled top surface 2380, but do not extend to the bottomof punch 2378. Angled top surface 2380 of punch 2378 forms a point atthe distal end of punch 2378. In some embodiments, the sides of punch2378 are tapered such that punch 2378 has a larger cross section at itsproximal end than at its distal end.

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 2310 and FIG. 63is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 62 . Trap portion 2314 israised above base portion 2312 in this view. A lid 2360 configured tocover the open end and lip 2358 of cup 2356, is affixed to lip 2358 ofcup 2356 with an adhesive to create an airtight seal, therebymaintaining the freshness of any substances (not shown) inside sealedcup 2356. Lid 2360 may be made of a thin, durable, but puncturablematerial or combination of materials that may act as a barrier to any ofthe insect-attracting substances mentioned herein. Cup 2356 is mountedon at least one support post 2362, configured to mount cup 2356 and lid2360 above bottom inside surface 2376 of rear housing 2340. In someembodiments, support post 2362 is replaced by at least one protrusion(not shown) in bottom inside surface 2376 of rear housing 2340. Insidecup 2356 is a carrier material 2366 impregnated with one or moreinsect-attracting substances. For example, carrier material 2366 may beimpregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that may further increase theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 2310. The materials of trapportion 2314 (e.g., front housing 2318, rear housing 2340, divider 2334and adhesive 2336) may also be impregnated with one or more insectattractants. It is desirable for such attractants to be detectable by aninsect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insect trap 2310.

In some embodiments, inside surface 2342 of rear housing 2340 has areflective coating. Alternatively, the material and surface finish ofrear housing 2340 may be configured to reflect and disperse UV and/orvisible light without a reflective coating. Rear housing 2340 mayinclude an opening 2344 on its bottom face, or alternatively opening2344 may be replaced by a transparent or translucent window (not shown).In some embodiments, front housing 2318 and rear housing 2340 arethermoformed from sheet plastic, creating a clean and aestheticallypleasing shape while maintaining low cost and disposability.Alternatively, other opaque, transparent or translucent materials suchas paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp may be used. In someembodiments, front housing 2318 and rear housing 2340 are made byinjection molding or by other suitable manufacturing techniques. Asshown, divider 2334 has a rear surface 2352, and is substantiallyplanar, and may be configured to be parallel to, or at an angle to, theprimary direction (not shown) of the light produced by LEDs 2324. Insome embodiments, divider 2334 is formed into a convex, concave orsaddle-shaped contour (not shown), or a combination of contours tooptimize the even distribution of light. In some embodiments, divider2334 has ribs or other features (not shown) that increase adhesivesurface area and create regions of light/dark contrast, which are highlyvisible to a wide variety of insects and may be more attractive to them.

In some embodiments, front housing 2318 is coated with transparent,translucent or opaque adhesive (not shown) on its inside surface toprovide additional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. In addition,front housing 2318 may also have a reflective coating (not shown)underneath the adhesive coating on its inside surface to enhance itsattraction to insects and further improve the insect trapping efficiencyand effectiveness. In some embodiments, front housing 2318, divider 2334and rear housing 2340 are joined together where they intersect or engageby ultrasonic welding or high frequency (HF) welding, although they mayalso be permanently or removably joined together by gluing or any othersuitable assembly method. Divider 2334 separates trap portion 2314 intoa front enclosure 2346 and a rear enclosure 2348.

In some embodiments, base portion 2312 includes a circuit board 2350having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to conductive prongs 2322 (only one ofwhich is shown) and LEDs 2324 (only one of which is shown). For clarity,not all of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board 2350 mayinclude electronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 2322 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 2324.Circuit board 2350 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that provides steady voltage toLEDs 2324, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 2324to provide a flickering light, which mimics movement that some insectspecies, including mosquitoes, may find attractive. For example, lightflickering frequencies in the approximate range of 0.05 Hz (e.g., tomimic the breathing rate of large mammals) to 250 Hz (e.g., the highestflicker frequency to attract male houseflies), may be desirable and thelighting element may be configured to flicker within this range. Circuitboard 2350 may provide power to LEDs 2324 to provide UV and/or visibleand/or IR light, although it may be configured to provide power to onlyUV LEDs 2324 or to only visible light LEDs 2324 or to only IR LEDs 2324,or to provide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UVand/or visible and/or IR light. Circuit board 2350 may also beconfigured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricspeaker (not shown) or other device that may be mounted in base portion2312 to emit an insect-attracting sound. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects such as mosquitoes,midges, moths and flies, and may include one or more of insect call,reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generatedinsect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeat of amammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2310. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2310.

FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 2310 and FIG. 65is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 64 . Trap portion 2314 is shownmounted to base portion 2312 in this view. As shown, slot 2330 in topsurface 2326 of base portion 2312 and rim or protrusions 2332 on topsurface 2326 of base portion 2312 engage with trap portion 2314 tosecure it in place during use, although any other form of attachment maybe substituted that may allow trap portion 2314 to be securely butremovably mounted on base portion 2312. Mounting trap portion 2314 tobase portion 2312 causes the pointed distal end of punch 2378 to breakthrough the bottom surface of rear housing 2340 and lid 2360. Theportion or portions of lid 2360 corresponding to axial grooves 2382 inpunch 2378 deform to create clearance between lid 2360 and punch 2378and release the insect-attracting scent or scents through axial grooves2382, into rear enclosure 2348 of trap portion 2314, shown by arrows,and on through perforations 2374 in divider 2334 and opening 2320 infront housing 2318, and on into the surrounding area where insect trap2310 is installed. Because axial grooves 2382 do not extend to theproximal end of punch 2378, punch 2378 itself plugs the opening in thebottom of rear housing 2340 where punch 2378 has broken through, therebyensuring that the insect-attracting scent or scents are released onlythrough the one or more perforations 2374 in divider 2334.

In the operation of insect trap 2310, conductive prongs 2322 (only oneof which is shown) are inserted into a wall electrical socket, and trapportion 2314 is mounted to base portion 2312, thereby breaking thesealed lid 2360 and releasing an insect-attracting scent or scentsthrough perforations 2374 in divider 2334 and through opening 2320 infront housing 2318 and into the surrounding area where insect trap 2310is installed. Cup 2356, carrier material 2366 and the insect-attractingsubstance or substances may be configured to release aninsect-attracting scent or scents for a predetermined amount of time tocorrespond with the expected useful life of trap portion 2314, which maybe e.g., a week, a month or three months, or another length of time.Alternatively, cup 2356, carrier material 2366 and the insect-attractingsubstance or substances may be configured to preferentially release oneinsect-attracting scent or group of scents earlier in the useful life oftrap portion 2314 and another insect-attracting scent or group of scentslater in the useful life of trap portion 2314 to attract more insects ora wider variety of insects with a changing scent, or to provide astronger scent later in the useful life of trap portion 2314 tocompensate for the reduced light emitted from trap portion 2314 whenmany insects are caught in adhesive 2336. Alternatively, cup 2356 andcarrier material 2366 may be configured to release additional scentsthat may mask the insect-attracting scent or scents or mask or eliminatecomponents of the insect-attracting scent or scents that humans may findobjectionable, or that children or non-intended animals (e.g., pets) mayfind attractive, without substantially reducing its attractiveness toinsects. LEDs 2324 emit light, represented by arrows, which transmitsthrough window 2328 in base portion 2312, through opening 2344 in rearhousing 2340 of trap portion 2314, into rear enclosure 2348 and directlyonto inside surface 2342 of rear housing 2340 and rear surface 2352 ofdivider 2334. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in baseportion 2312 and is emitted directly into trap portion 2314. Insidesurface 2342 of rear housing 2340 may include a concave shape and may beconfigured to reflect and disperse the UV and visible light from LEDs2324 to distribute the light evenly onto rear surface 2352 of divider2334, although the shape of inside surface 2342 of rear housing 2340 mayhave a convex shape or a saddle shape or a combination of shapes, or mayalso have ribs or other features (not shown) to more evenly distributethe light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such as an anamorphic lens(not shown) or any other lens or combination of lenses configured todistribute the UV and visible light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto rear surface 2352 of divider2334, may be mounted to rear housing 2340 at or near opening 2344 or tobase portion 2312 at or near window 2328, and may replace or augment therole of inside surface 2342 of rear housing 2340. Alternatively, thelight from LEDs 2324 may directly strike rear surface 2352 of divider2334 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to90°) and may be spread across divider 2334, and may replace or augmentthe role of inside surface 2342 of rear housing 2340 or of the lens orlenses mounted to rear housing 2340.

Thereafter, the light is transmitted through divider 2334 and adhesive2336 on front surface 2338, and into front enclosure 2346. The light maybe further evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties ofdivider 2334, adhesive 2336, or both. A portion of the light enteringfront enclosure 2346 continues through opening 2320 in front housing2318 and into the surrounding area where insect trap 2310 is installed.Insects are attracted to the light transmitted through adhesive 2336 andthrough opening 2320 in front housing 2318. Insects are also attractedto the scents and/or pheromones released from carrier material 2366 incup 2356. In addition, heat generated by circuit board 2350 may warmcarrier material 2366, and may thereby increase the release ofinsect-attracting scents and/or pheromones. Insects fly or crawl intoopening 2320 and onto adhesive 2336, where they become trapped. A usermay observe trapped insects by looking through opening 2320 in fronthousing 2318. When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, theuser may easily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 2314without touching trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, whichremain out of reach inside trap portion 2314, and replace it with a newtrap portion 2314. The new trap portion 2314 has fresh adhesive-coatedsurfaces and light-directing surfaces, ensuring that insect trap 2310will continue to efficiently and effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2314 mounts on top of, and notin front of, base portion 2312, insect trap 2310 protrudes minimallyfrom the wall when plugged into an ordinary household wall socket, andtherefore intrudes minimally into the home environment. In someembodiments, insect trap 2310 is configured such that when insect trap2310 is mounted to a wall, its overall depth, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 2310 protrudes from the wall, is smaller than itsoverall height and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2310 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2314. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2314. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface 2342, divider 2334and adhesive 2336). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2336. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2336 orwithin trap portion 2314, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 2310 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2314 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2312, each trap portion 2314 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of flyinginsect. For example, the overall size and shape of trap portion 2314,the size, shape, location and orientation of opening 2320 in fronthousing 2318 of trap portion 2314, and the scent or scents impregnatedin carrier material 2366, front housing 2318, divider 2334, adhesive2336 or rear housing 2340, may be uniquely configured to attract andtrap a specific species or multiple species of flying insect.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2314 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm high and 5 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, trap portion 2314 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm high and 5 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, trapportion 2314 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm highand 5 mm to 50 mm deep.

In some embodiments, base portion 2312 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm high and 10 mm to 150 mm deep. In someembodiments, base portion 2312 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmhigh and 10 mm to 80 mm deep. In some embodiments, base portion 2312 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm high and 10 mm to 50 mm deep.

As provided herein, opening 2320 may be a variety of shapes and/orsizes. For example, opening 2320 may be circular, square, rectangular,polygonal and/or elliptical in shape. Alternatively, opening 2320 may beslot shaped having a straight, curved or undulating shape or pattern.When opening 2320 is circular, opening 2320 may be approximately 0.5 mmto 30 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circular opening 2320 isapproximately 0.5 mm to 20 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, circularopening 2320 is approximately 0.5 mm to 15 mm in diameter. When opening2320 is slot shaped, opening 2320 may be approximately 2 mm to 30 mmwide and 5 mm to 500 mm long. In some embodiments, slot shaped opening2320 is approximately 2 mm to 20 mm wide and 5 mm to 200 mm long. Insome embodiments, slot shaped opening 2320 is approximately 2 mm to 15mm wide and 5 mm to 100 mm long.

In some embodiments, opening 2320 covers all or a portion of fronthousing 2318. For example, opening 2320 may cover a range ofapproximately 1% to 75% of the surface area of front housing 2318. Insome embodiments, opening 2320 covers approximately 5% to 50% of thesurface area of front housing 2318. In some embodiments, opening 2320covers approximately 10% to 30% of the surface area of front housing2318.

It should be appreciated that the principles described in thisdisclosure for attracting and trapping indoor flying insect pests arealso beneficial for attracting and trapping indoor crawling and jumpingarthropod pests. For example, while mosquitoes and flies have beendescribed as being attracted to the disclosed insect traps, crawling orwingless insects such as cockroaches and crawling arthropod pests suchas spiders may also be attracted by and trapped by the disclosed insecttraps. FIG. 66 is a front perspective view of a twenty-fourth embodimentof an insect trap, indicated generally at 2410. Insect trap 2410 mayinclude a base portion 2412, a removable trap portion 2414, anelectrical cord 2416 and an electrical plug 2430 with a plurality ofelectrically conductive prongs 2422, adapted to provide power to insecttrap 2410 by inserting conductive prongs 2422 into a standard householdelectrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion 2412 may beconfigured to receive power from batteries (not shown) mounted in baseportion 2412. While an electrical socket and batteries have beendescribed as providing power to insect trap 2410, any suitable powersource may be used. As shown, insect trap 2410 is configured to sit onthe floor when in use and attract and trap crawling and hopping insectsand other arthropod pests. Trap portion 2414 includes a housing 2418with at least one opening 2420 on its perimeter. Opening 2420 may beconfigured to admit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 2410, oralternatively it may be configured to admit one or more specific insectspecies. In some embodiments, opening 2420 is configured to prevent theuser’s fingers from penetrating opening 2420 and inadvertently touchingtrapped insects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion2414. In some embodiments, opening 2420 has a size and shape such that asphere 25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 2420, and has asize and shape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through anyportion of opening 2420. Opening 2420 may be of uniform or of varyingwidth, shape and orientation, and if trap portion 2414 has more than oneopening 2420, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 2420 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species.

FIG. 67 is a front perspective view of insect trap 2410. Trap portion2414 is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 2412 inthis view. Base portion 2412 includes a lighting element such as one ormore LEDs 2424. In some embodiments, LEDs 2424 include at least one thatemits UV light and at least one that emits visible light. In someembodiments, LEDs 2424 include at least one that emits UV light and atleast one that emits blue light to better attract a wide variety ofinsect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs2424 include at least one that emits IR light to better attract certainspecies of insects including fleas. In a front surface 2426 of baseportion 2412 is at least one opening 2444, and mounted in opening 2444may be a transparent or translucent window (not shown). The windowprotects LEDs 2424 from dust and insect debris and allows base portion2412 to be easily cleaned. In some embodiments, at least a portion ofLEDs 2424 protrude from front surface 2426 of base portion 2412, andinto trap portion 2414 when trap portion 2414 is mounted to base portion2412. On the perimeter of front surface 2426 may be a forwardly directedrim 2432. Trap portion 2414 includes a bottom plate 2434 with a topsurface 2438, at least a portion of which is coated with an adhesive2436. In some embodiments, the bottom surface (not shown) of bottomplate 2434 is planar or is planar at its perimeter and is configuredsuch that insects cannot crawl under insect trap 2410 when insect trap2410 is placed on a floor. As shown, housing 2418 has at least oneopening 2442 that corresponds to opening 2444 in base portion 2412. Insome embodiments, opening 2442 in housing 2418 has a transparent ortranslucent window 2440. In some embodiments, housing 2418 has areflective coating (not shown) on its inside surface (not shown).Alternatively, the material and surface finish of housing 2418 may beconfigured to reflect and disperse UV light and/or visible light and/orIR light without a reflective coating on its inside surface. Housing2418 may also be coated with transparent, translucent or opaque adhesiveon its inside surface (not shown) to provide additional insect trappingefficiency and capacity. In some embodiments, adhesive 2436 isconfigured to reflect and disperse UV and/or visible light and/or IRlight. Housing 2418 and bottom plate 2434 form an enclosure 2448. Insome embodiments, housing 2418 is thermoformed from opaque sheetplastic, creating a clean and aesthetically pleasing shape whilemaintaining low cost and disposability. Alternatively housing 2418 maybe constructed of other opaque, transparent or translucent materialssuch as paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp. In some embodiments,housing 2418 is constructed by injection molding or by other suitablemanufacturing techniques. In some embodiments, housing 2418 and bottomplate 2434 are joined together where they intersect or engage with anadhesive, although they may also be joined by other commonly usedpackaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or highfrequency (HF) welding, or by any other suitable assembly method. Thematerials of trap portion 2414 may also include one or more insectattractants. For example, housing 2418 and/or bottom plate 2434 and/oradhesive 2436 may be impregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractantsincluding brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol,ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin,oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteran attractants includingceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun, muscalure, andtrimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure, lepidopteranattractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteran pheromonesincluding codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure,and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol, methyleugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent that mayfurther increase the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 2410.In such embodiments, the insect attractant is integral to trap portion2414. Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in aseparate piece (not shown) that may mount on an inside surface ofenclosure 2448 or through an opening in housing 2418. It is desirablefor such attractants to be detectable by an insect for approximately a2-meter radius from insect trap 2410.

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 2410. For clarity,cord 2416, plug 2430 and conductive prongs 2422 are not shown in thisview. In some embodiments, base portion 2412 has a circuit board 2450having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to cord 2416, conductive prongs 2422and LEDs 2424 (only one of which is shown). For clarity, however, notall of the electrical connections are shown. Circuit board 2450 mayinclude electronic circuitry to receive ordinary household current fromconductive prongs 2422 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 2424.Circuit board 2450 may include an energy stabilizer such as a full waverectifier circuit or any other circuit that may provide steady voltageto LEDs 2424, although it may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs2424 to provide a flickering light, which mimics movement that someinsect species, may find attractive. Circuit board 2450 may providepower to LEDs 2424 to provide UV and/or visible and/or IR light althoughit may be configured to provide power to only the one or more UV LEDs2424 or to only the visible light LEDs 2424 or to only the IR LEDs 2424,or to provide variable power to produce combinations of flickering UVand/or visible and/or IR light. Circuit board 2450 may also beconfigured to drive a transmitter or transceiver such as a piezoelectricspeaker (not shown) or other device that may be mounted in base portion2412 to emit insect-attracting sounds. In some embodiments, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insectsounds or vibrations to better attract insects, and may include one ormore of insect call, reply, courtship and copulatory songs. In someembodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emit recorded and/orgenerated insect-attracting sounds or vibrations such as the heartbeatof a mammal. For example, the transmitter or transceiver may emit aninsect-attracting sound or sounds having a frequency in the range ofapproximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heart rate of large mammals) toapproximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highest frequency detectable byinsects). In some embodiments, the frequency is in the range ofapproximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, the frequency is inthe range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It is desirable for suchinsect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insect withinapproximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2410. It is desirablefor such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a human beyondapproximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2410.

As shown, rim 2432 on front surface 2426 of base portion 2412 engageswith trap portion 2414 to secure it in place during use, although anyother form of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion2414 to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 2412.

In the operation of insect trap 2410, conductive prongs 2422 (not shown)are inserted into a wall electrical socket, and LEDs 2424 emit light,represented by arrows, which is transmitted through opening 2444 in baseportion 2412 and into enclosure 2448, and directly onto the insidesurface of housing 2418 and adhesive 2436 on top surface 2438 of bottomplate 2434. In some embodiments, light is not manipulated in baseportion 2412 and is emitted directly into trap portion 2414.

The inside surface of housing 2418 may include a concave shape and maybe configured to reflect and disperse the UV and/or visible and/or IRlight from LEDs 2424 to distribute the light evenly onto adhesive 2436on top surface 2438 of bottom plate 2434 and through enclosure 2448 andout through opening 2420 of housing 2418, although the inside surface ofhousing 2418 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or a combinationof shapes, or may also have ribs or other features to more evenlydistribute the light, or may also have ribs or other features to moreevenly distribute the light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such asan anamorphic lens or any other lens or combination of lenses (notshown) configured to distribute the UV and/or visible and/or IR light(e.g., evenly, according to specific patterns, at a focal point, etc.)onto the inside surface of housing 2418, may be mounted to trap portion2414 at or near opening 2442 or to base portion 2412 at or near opening2444, and may replace or augment the role of the reflective-coatedinside surface of housing 2418. In some embodiments, the light from LEDs2424 may directly strike the adhesive 2436 on top surface 2438 of bottomplate 2434 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately0° to 90°) and be spread across the adhesive 2436, and may replace oraugment the light-distributing role of the inside surface of housing2418 or the lens or lenses mounted to trap portion 2414 or to baseportion 2412. The light may be further evenly distributed by thelight-diffusing properties of window 2440 in trap portion 2414, byadhesive 2436 on top surface 2438 of bottom plate 2434, or by acombination of the two.

Thereafter, a portion of the light entering enclosure 2448 continuesthrough opening 2420 in housing 2418 and into the surrounding area whereinsect trap 2410 is installed. Insects are attracted to the lighttransmitted through opening 2420 and hop or crawl into opening 2420 andonto adhesive 2436, where they become trapped. A user may observetrapped insects by looking through opening 2420 in housing 2418. When asufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user may easilyremove and discard the entire used trap portion 2414 without touchingthe trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out ofreach inside trap portion 2414, and replace it with a new trap portion2414. The new trap portion 2414 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces,ensuring that insect trap 2410 will continue to efficiently andeffectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2414 mounts beside, and not ontop of or underneath base portion 2412, insect trap 2410 protrudesminimally from the floor and therefore intrudes minimally into the homeenvironment. In some embodiments, insect trap 2410 is configured suchthat when placed on a floor, its overall height, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 2410 protrudes from the floor, is smaller than itsoverall length and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2410 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2414. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2414. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization and/ordiffusion and is achieved by engaging with a manipulative element orsurface (e.g., the inside surface of housing 2418 and adhesive 2436). Insome embodiments, light manipulation produces an even distribution oflight on adhesive 2436. In some embodiments, light is manipulated toproduce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2436 or within trap portion2414, for example, an even distribution, an even distribution with hotspots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns, and/or combinationsthereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 2410 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2414 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2412, each trap portion 2414 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 2414, the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 2420 in housing 2418, and thescent or scents impregnated in housing 2418, bottom plate 2434, oradhesive 2436, may be uniquely configured to attract and trap a specificspecies or multiple species of insects.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2414 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm long and 5 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, trap portion 2414 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm long and 5 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, trapportion 2414 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm longand 5 mm to 50 mm high.

In some embodiments, base portion 2412 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm long and 10 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, base portion 2412 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmlong and 10 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, base portion 2412 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm long and 10 mm to 50 mm high.

FIG. 69 is a front perspective view of a twenty-fifth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2510. Insect trap 2510 includes abase portion 2512 and a removable trap portion 2514. Trap portion 2514is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 2512 in thisview. As shown, base portion 2512 includes an electrical cord 2516 andan electrical plug 2530 with a plurality of electrically conductiveprongs 2522, adapted to provide power to insect trap 2510 by insertingconductive prongs 2522 into a standard household electrical wall socket.Alternatively, base portion 2512 may be configured to receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 2512. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 2510, any suitable power source may be used. As shown, insect trap2510 is configured to sit on the floor when in use and attract and trapcrawling and hopping insects or pests. Trap portion 2514 includes ahousing 2518 with at least one opening 2520 on its perimeter. Opening2520 in housing 2518 may be configured to admit a wide variety ofinsects into insect trap 2510, or alternatively it may be configured toadmit one or more specific insect species. In some embodiments, opening2520 is configured to prevent the user’s fingers from penetratingopening 2520 and inadvertently touching trapped insects or adhesive whenremoving and replacing trap portion 2514. In some embodiments, opening2520 has a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mm in diameter cannotpass through opening 2520, and has a size and shape such that a sphere 1mm in diameter can pass through any portion of opening 2520. Opening2520 may be of uniform or of varying width, shape and orientation, andif trap portion 2514 has more than one opening 2520, they may be ofidentical or of differing widths, shapes and orientations. Opening 2520may be configured to attract one or more individual insect species or avariety of insect species. Base portion 2512 includes a lighting elementsuch as one or more LEDs 2524. In some embodiments, LEDs 2524 include atleast one that emits UV light and at least one that emits visible light.In some embodiments, LEDs 2524 include at least one that emits UV lightand at least one that emits blue light to better attract a wide varietyof insect species. In some embodiments, the lighting element emits acombination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs2524 include at least one that emits IR light to better attract certainspecies of insects including fleas. In a front surface 2526 of baseportion 2512 is at least one opening 2544, and mounted in opening 2544may be a transparent or translucent window (not shown) that may protectLEDs 2524 from dust and insect debris, and may allow base portion 2512to be easily cleaned. However, the window is not required. In someembodiments, at least a portion of LEDs 2524 protrude from front surface2526 of base portion 2512 and into trap portion 2514 when trap portion2514 is mounted to base portion 2512. On the perimeter of front surface2526 may be a forwardly directed rim 2532. Trap portion 2514 includes abottom plate 2534 with a top surface 2538. In some embodiments, thebottom surface (not shown) of bottom plate 2534 is planar or is planarat its perimeter and is configured such that insects cannot crawl underinsect trap 2510 when it is placed on a floor. In some embodiments, topsurface 2538 of bottom plate 2534 has a reflective coating (not shown).Alternatively, the material of bottom plate 2534 and the surface finishof top surface 2538 of bottom plate 2534 may be configured to reflect UVand/or visible and/or IR light without a reflective coating on itsinside surface. Trap portion 2514 also includes a divider 2546,comprised of transparent or translucent material and that may have aconvex shape. Divider 2546 has a top surface, of which at least aportion is coated with a transparent or translucent adhesive 2536, and abottom surface (not shown). In some embodiments, housing 2518 is coatedwith adhesive on its inside surface (not shown) to provide additionalinsect trapping efficiency and capacity. In some embodiments, the insidesurface of housing 2518 is configured to reflect and disperse UV and/orvisible and/or IR light. In some embodiments, the adhesive coating theinside surface of housing 2518 may be configured to reflect and disperseUV and/or visible and/or IR light. As shown, housing 2518 and divider2546 form a top enclosure 2548, and divider 2546 and bottom plate 2534form a bottom enclosure 2528. As shown, housing 2518 and divider 2546each have at least one opening 2542 corresponding to opening 2544 infront surface 2526 of base portion 2512. In some embodiments, opening2542 may have a transparent or translucent window (not shown). In someembodiments, housing 2518 is thermoformed from opaque sheet plastic,creating a clean and aesthetically pleasing shape while maintaining lowcost and disposability. Alternatively, they may be constructed of otheropaque, transparent or translucent materials such as paper, paperboard,cardboard or paper pulp. In some embodiments, housing 2518 isconstructed by injection molding or by other suitable manufacturingtechniques. In some embodiments, housing 2518, divider 2546 and bottomplate 2534 are joined together where they intersect or engage with anadhesive, although they may also be joined by other commonly usedpackaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonic welding or highfrequency (HF) welding or by any other suitable assembly method. Thematerials of trap portion 2514 may also include one or more ofinsect-attracting substances. For example, housing 2518 and/or divider2546 and/or bottom plate 2534 and/or adhesive 2536 may be impregnatedwith sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that may further increase theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 2510. In such embodiments,the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 2414. Alternatively,the insect attractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown)that may mount on an inside surface of top enclosure 2548 or through anopening in housing 2518. It is desirable for such attractants to bedetectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insecttrap 2510.

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view through insect trap 2510. For clarity,cord 2516, plug 2530 and conductive prongs 2522 are not shown in thisview. In some embodiments, base portion 2512 has a circuit board 2550having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to cord 2516, conductive prongs 2522,and LEDs 2524. For clarity, however, not all of the electricalconnections are shown. Circuit board 2550 may include electroniccircuitry to receive ordinary household current from conductive prongs2522 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 2524. Circuit board 2550 mayinclude an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifier circuit orany other circuit that may provide steady voltage to LEDs 2524, althoughit may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 2524 to provide aflickering light which mimics movement that some insect species may findattractive. Circuit board 2550 may provide power to LEDs 2524 to provideUV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may be configured toprovide power to only UV LEDs 2524 or to only visible light LEDs 2524 orto only IR LEDs 2524, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 2550 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 2512 to emit insect-attracting sounds orvibrations. In some embodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emitrecorded and/or generated insect sounds or vibrations to better attractinsects, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to approximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highestfrequency detectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency isin the range of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2510. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2510.

As shown, rim 2532 on front surface 2526 of base portion 2512 engageswith trap portion 2514 to secure it in place during use, although anyother form of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion2514 to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 2512.

In the operation of insect trap 2510, conductive prongs 2522 areinserted into a wall electrical socket, and LEDs 2524 emit light,represented by arrows, which transmits through opening 2544 in baseportion 2512 and opening 2542 in trap portion 2514 and into bottomenclosure 2528, and directly onto the bottom surface of divider 2546 andtop surface 2538 of bottom plate 2534. In some embodiments, light is notmanipulated in base portion 2512 and is emitted directly into trapportion 2514. Top surface 2538 of bottom plate 2534 may be configured toreflect and disperse the light from LEDs 2524 to project the lightevenly onto the bottom surface of divider 2546, although top surface2538 of bottom plate 2534 may have a convex shape or a saddle shape or acombination of shapes, or may also have ribs or other features to moreevenly distribute the light. Alternatively, an optical enhancer such asan anamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens or combination oflenses configured to distribute the light (e.g., evenly, according tospecific patterns, at a focal point, etc.) onto the bottom surface ofdivider 2546, may be mounted to trap portion 2514 at or near opening2542 or to base portion 2512 at or near opening 2544, and may replace oraugment the role of top surface 2538 of bottom plate 2534. In someembodiments, the light from LEDs 2524 may directly strike top surface2538 of bottom plate 2534 at an oblique angle (e.g., an acute angle fromapproximately 0° to 90°) and be spread across top surface 2538, and mayreplace or augment the light-distributing role of the bottom surface ofdivider 2546 or the lens or lenses mounted to trap portion 2514 or tobase portion 2512.

Thereafter, the light transmits through divider 2546 and adhesive 2536and into top enclosure 2548. The light may be further evenly distributedby the light-diffusing properties of divider 2546, adhesive 2536, or bya combination of the two. A portion of the light entering top enclosure2548 transmits through opening 2520 and into the surrounding area whereinsect trap 2510 is installed. Insects and other arthropod pests areattracted to the light transmitted through opening 2520, and hop orcrawl into opening 2520 and onto adhesive 2536, where they becometrapped. A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening2520. When a sufficient number of insects have been trapped, the usermay easily remove and discard the entire used trap portion 2514 withouttouching the trapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remainout of reach inside trap portion 2514, and replace it with a new trapportion 2514. New trap portion 2514 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces,ensuring that insect trap 2510 will continue to efficiently andeffectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2514 mounts beside, and not ontop of or underneath base portion 2512, insect trap 2510 protrudesminimally from the floor and therefore intrudes minimally into the homeenvironment. In some embodiments, insect trap 2510 may be configuredsuch that when placed on a floor, its overall height, defined by theoverall distance insect trap 2510 protrudes from the floor, is smallerthan its overall length and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2510 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2514. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2514. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface of housing 2518and adhesive 2536). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2536. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2536 orwithin trap portion 2514, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

Insect trap 2510 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2514 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2512, each trap portion 2514 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 2514, the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 2520 in housing 2518 of trapportion 2514, and the scent or scents impregnated in housing 2518,bottom plate 2534, divider 2546 or adhesive 2536, may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species ofinsects.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2514 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm long and 5 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, trap portion 2514 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm long and 5 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, trapportion 2514 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm longand 5 mm to 50 mm high.

In some embodiments, base portion 2512 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm long and 10 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, base portion 2512 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmlong and 10 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, base portion 2512 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm long and 10 mm to 50 mm high.

FIG. 71 is a front perspective view of a twenty-sixth embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2610. Insect trap 2610 includes abase portion 2612 and a removable trap portion 2614. Trap portion 2614is shown partially cut away and removed from base portion 2612 in thisview. As shown, base portion 2612 includes an electrical cord 2616 andan electrical plug 2630 with a plurality of electrically conductiveprongs 2622, adapted to provide power to insect trap 2610 by insertingconductive prongs 2622 into a standard household electrical wall socket.Alternatively, base portion 2612 may be configured to receive power frombatteries (not shown) mounted in base portion 2612. While an electricalsocket and batteries have been described as providing power to insecttrap 2610, any suitable power source may be used. As shown, insect trap2610 is configured to sit on the floor when in use and attract and trapcrawling and hopping insects and other arthropod pests. Trap portion2614 includes a housing 2618 with at least one opening 2620 on itsperimeter. Opening 2620 in housing 2618 may be configured to admit awide variety of insects into insect trap 2610, or alternatively it maybe configured to admit one or more specific insect species. In someembodiments, opening 2620 is configured to prevent the user’s fingersfrom penetrating opening 2620 and inadvertently touching trapped insectsor adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 2614. In someembodiments, opening 2620 has a size and shape such that a sphere 25 mmin diameter cannot pass through opening 2620, and has a size and shapesuch that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portion ofopening 2620. Opening 2620 may be of uniform or of varying width, shapeand orientation, and if trap portion 2614 has more than one opening2620, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapes andorientations. Opening 2620 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. In someembodiments, the inside surface (not shown) of housing 2618 may have areflective coating. Alternatively, the material of housing 2618 and thesurface finish of the inside surface of housing 2618 may be configuredto reflect light without a reflective coating on its inside surface.Base portion 2612 includes a lighting element such as one or more LEDs2624. In some embodiments, LEDs 2624 include at least one that emits UVlight and at least one that emits visible light. In some embodiments,LEDs 2624 include at least one that emits UV light and at least one thatemits blue light to better attract a wide variety of insect species. Insome embodiments, the lighting element emits a combination ofwavelengths to mimic sunlight. In some embodiments, LEDs 2624 include atleast one that emits IR light to better attract certain species ofinsects including fleas. In a front surface 2644 of base portion 2612 isat least one opening 2620, and mounted in opening 2620 may be atransparent or translucent window (not shown), which may protect LEDs2624 from dust and insect debris, and may allow base portion 2612 to beeasily cleaned. However, the window is not required. In someembodiments, at least a portion of LEDs 2624 protrude from front surface2626 of base portion 2612 and into trap portion 2614 when trap portion2614 is mounted to base portion 2612. On the perimeter of front surface2626 may be a forwardly directed rim 2632. Trap portion 2614 includes abottom plate 2634 with a top surface 2638, at least a portion of whichis coated with an adhesive 2636. In some embodiments, the bottom surface(not shown) of bottom plate 2634 is planar or is planar at its perimeterand is configured such that insects cannot crawl under insect trap 2610when it is placed on a floor. Trap portion 2614 includes a divider 2646,comprised of transparent or translucent material and which includes atop surface 2640. In some embodiments, divider 2646 is coated on itsinside surfaces with a transparent or translucent adhesive to provideadditional insect trapping efficiency and capacity. Divider 2646 has atleast one opening 2652 that corresponds to opening 2620 in housing 2618.As shown, housing 2618 and divider 2646 form a top enclosure 2648, anddivider 2646 and bottom plate 2634 form a bottom enclosure 2628. Asshown, housing 2618 has at least one opening 2642 that corresponds toopening 2644 in front surface 2626 of base portion 2614. In someembodiments, opening 2642 has a transparent or translucent window (notshown). In some embodiments, housing 2618 is thermoformed from opaquesheet plastic, creating a clean and aesthetically pleasing shape whilemaintaining low cost and disposability. Alternatively, they may beconstructed of other opaque, transparent or translucent materials suchas paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp. In some embodiments,housing 2618 is constructed by injection molding or by other suitablemanufacturing techniques. In some embodiments, housing 2618, divider2646 and bottom plate 2634 are joined together where they intersect orengage with an adhesive, although they may also be joined together byother commonly used packaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonicwelding or high frequency (HF) welding or by any other suitable assemblymethod. The materials of trap portion 2614 may also include one or moreof insect-attracting substances. For example, housing 2618 and/ordivider 2646 and/or bottom plate 2634 and/or adhesive 2636 may beimpregnated with sorbitol, coleopteran attractants including brevicomin,dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure,lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, andtrunc-call, dipteran attractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure,medlure, moguchun, muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractantsincluding rescalure, lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure,straight chain lepidopteran pheromones including codlelure, gossyplure,hexalure, litlure, looplure, orfralure, and ostramone, and other insectattractants such as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure, or othersubstances to provide a scent that may further increase theinsect-attracting efficiency of insect trap 2610. In such embodiments,the insect attractant is integral to trap portion 2614. Alternatively,the insect attractants may be embedded in a separate piece (not shown)that may mount on an inside surface of bottom enclosure 2628 or throughan opening in housing 2618. It is desirable for such attractants to bedetectable by an insect for approximately a 2-meter radius from insecttrap 2610.

FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of insect trap 2610. For clarity, cord2616, plug 2630 and conductive prongs 2622 are not shown. In someembodiments, base portion 2612 has a circuit board 2650 having aprogrammable processor or chip (not shown) for executing commands,electrically connected to cord 2616, conductive prongs 2622 and LEDs2624. For clarity, however, not all of the electrical connections areshown. Circuit board 2650 may include electronic circuitry to receiveordinary household current, for example from conductive prongs 2622 andprovide power to illuminate LEDs 2624. Circuit board 2650 may include anenergy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifier circuit or any othercircuit that may provide steady voltage to LEDs 2624, although it mayalso provide a varying voltage to LEDs 2624 to provide a flickeringlight which mimics movement that some insect species may findattractive. Circuit board 2650 may provide power to LEDs 2624 to provideUV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may be configured toprovide power to only UV LEDs 2624 or to only visible light LEDs 2624 orto only IR LEDs 2624, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 2650 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 2612 to emit insect-attracting sounds orvibrations. In some embodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emitrecorded and/or generated insect sounds or vibrations to better attractinsects, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to approximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highestfrequency detectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency isin the range of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2610. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2610.

As shown, rim 2632 on front surface 2626 of base portion 2612 engageswith trap portion 2614 to secure it in place during use, although anyother form of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion2614 to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 2612.

In the operation of insect trap 2610, conductive prongs 2622 (not shown)are inserted into a wall electrical socket, and LEDs 2624 light,represented by arrows, which transmits through opening 2644 in baseportion 2612 and opening 2642 in housing 2618, and into top enclosure2648, and directly onto the inside surface of housing 2618 and topsurface 2640 of divider 2646. In some embodiments, light is notmanipulated in base portion 2612 and is emitted directly into trapportion 2614. In some embodiments, the inside surface of housing 2618 isconfigured to reflect the light from LEDs 2624 to project the light ontoand through top surface 2640 of divider 2646 and on into bottomenclosure 2628, although the inside surface of housing 2618 may alsohave ribs or other features (not shown) to more evenly distribute thelight. Top surface 2640 of divider 2646 may be planar or convex orconcave or be a combination of forms to more evenly distribute the lightonto adhesive 2636. In some embodiments, an optical enhancer such as ananamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens or combination of lensesconfigured to distribute the light (e.g., evenly, according to specificpatterns, at a focal point, etc.) through divider 2646 and onto adhesive2636, may be mounted to trap portion 2614 at or near opening 2642 inhousing 2618 or to base portion 2612 at or near opening 2644, and mayreplace or augment the role of inside surface of housing 2618. The lightmay be further evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties ofdivider 2646, the adhesive coating the inside surface of divider 2646,or by a combination of the two. In some embodiments, the light from LEDs2624 may directly strike top surface 2640 of divider 2646 at an obliqueangle (e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and be spreadacross top surface 2640, and may replace or augment thelight-distributing role of top surface 2640 of divider 2646 or of thelens or lenses mounted to trap portion 2614 or to base portion 2612.

Thereafter, a portion of the light entering bottom enclosure 2628continues through opening 2652 in divider 2646 and its correspondingopening 2620 in housing 2618 and into the surrounding area where insecttrap 2610 is installed. Insects and other arthropod pests are attractedto the light transmitted through opening 2652 in divider 2646 and itscorresponding opening 2620 in housing 2618, and crawl through opening2620 in housing 2618 and its corresponding opening 2652 in divider 2646and onto adhesive 2636 on bottom plate 2634, where they become trapped.A user may observe trapped insects by looking through opening 2620 inhousing 2618 and its corresponding opening 2652 in divider 2646. When asufficient number of insects have been trapped, the user can easilyremove and discard entire used trap portion 2614 without touching thetrapped insects, insect debris or adhesive, which remain out of reachinside trap portion 2614, and replace it with a new trap portion 2614.New trap portion 2614 has fresh adhesive-coated surfaces, ensuring thatinsect trap 2610 continues to efficiently and effectively attract andtrap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2614 mounts beside, and not ontop of or underneath base portion 2612, insect trap 2610 protrudesminimally from the floor and therefore intrudes minimally into the homeenvironment. In some embodiments, insect trap 2610 is configured suchthat when placed on a floor, its overall height, defined by the overalldistance insect trap 2610 protrudes from the floor, is smaller than itsoverall length and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2610 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2614. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2614. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface of housing 2618and adhesive 2636). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2636. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2636 orwithin trap portion 2614, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 2610 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2614 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2612, each trap portion 2614 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 2614, the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 2620 in housing 2618 of trapportion 2614, and the scent or scents impregnated in housing 2618,bottom plate 2634, divider 2646 or adhesive 2636, may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species ofinsects.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2614 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm long and 5 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, trap portion 2614 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm long and 5 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, trapportion 2614 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm longand 5 mm to 50 mm high.

In some embodiments, base portion 2612 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm long and 10 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, base portion 2612 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmlong and 10 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, base portion 2612 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm long and 10 mm to 50 mm high.

FIG. 73 is a front perspective view of a twenty-seventh embodiment of aninsect trap, indicated generally at 2710. Insect trap 2710 includes abase portion 2712 and a removable trap portion 2714. Trap portion 2714and base portion 2712 are shown partially cut away, and trap portion2714 is shown removed from base portion 2712 in this view. Insect trap2710 is configured to be placed on the floor and to attract and trapcrawling and hopping insects or pests. As shown, base portion 2712includes an electrical cord 2716 and an electrical plug 2730 with aplurality of electrically conductive prongs 2722, adapted to providepower to insect trap 2710 by inserting conductive prongs 2722 into astandard household electrical wall socket. Alternatively, base portion2712 may be configured to receive power from batteries (not shown)mounted in base portion 2712. While an electrical socket and batterieshave been described as providing power to insect trap 2710, any suitablepower source may be used. Base portion 2712 includes a lighting elementsuch as one or more LEDs 2724. In some embodiments, LEDs 2724 include atleast one that emits ultraviolet (UV) light and at least one that emitsvisible light. In some embodiments, LEDs 2724 include at least one thatemits UV light and at least one that emits blue light to better attracta wide variety of insect species. In some embodiments, the lightingelement emits a combination of wavelengths to mimic sunlight. In someembodiments, LEDs 2764 include at least one that emits IR light tobetter attract certain species of insects including fleas. In a frontsurface 2726 of base portion 2712 is at least one opening 2744, andmounted in opening 2744 may be a transparent or translucent window (notshown), which may protect LEDs 2724 from dust and insect debris, and mayallow base portion 2712 to be easily cleaned. However, the window is notrequired. In some embodiments, at least a portion of LEDs 2724 mayprotrude from front surface 2726 of base portion 2712, and into trapportion 2714 when trap portion 2714 is mounted to base portion 2712. Onthe perimeter of front surface 2726 may be a forwardly directed rim2732.

Trap portion 2714 includes a housing 2718 with at least one opening 2720on its perimeter. Opening 2720 in housing 2718 may be configured toadmit a wide variety of insects into insect trap 2710, or alternativelyit may be configured to admit one or more specific insect species. Insome embodiments, opening 2720 is configured to prevent the user’sfingers from penetrating opening 2720 and inadvertently touching trappedinsects or adhesive when removing and replacing trap portion 2714. Insome embodiments, opening 2720 has a size and shape such that a sphere25 mm in diameter cannot pass through opening 2720, and has a size andshape such that a sphere 1 mm in diameter can pass through any portionof opening 2720. Opening 2720 may be of uniform or of varying width,shape and orientation, and if trap portion 2714 has more than oneopening 2720, they may be of identical or of differing widths, shapesand orientations. Opening 2720 may be configured to attract one or moreindividual insect species or a variety of insect species. In someembodiments, the inside surface (not shown) of housing 2718 has areflective coating. Alternatively, the material of housing 2718 and thesurface finish of the inside surface of housing 2718 may be configuredto reflect and disperse light without a reflective coating on its insidesurface. Trap portion 2714 includes a bottom plate 2734 with a topsurface 2738, at least a portion of which is coated with an adhesive2736. In some embodiments, the bottom surface (not shown) of bottomplate 2734 is planar or is planar at its perimeter and may be configuredsuch that insects cannot crawl under insect trap 2710 when it is placedon a floor. Trap portion 2714 includes a divider 2746, comprised oftransparent or translucent material and which includes a top surface2740. In some embodiments, divider 2746 is coated on its inside surfaceswith a transparent or translucent adhesive to provide additional insecttrapping efficiency and capacity. Divider 2746 has at least one opening2752 that corresponds to opening 2720 in housing 2718. Divider 2746 maybe thermoformed from a transparent or translucent plastic that may allowfor a low cost and disposability, although it may also be made byinjection molding, and it may also be made of other transparent ortranslucent materials. Trap portion 2714 also includes a diffuser 2754,only half of which is shown in this view, made of transparent ortranslucent material with light-diffusing characteristics.Alternatively, diffuser 2754 may have a surface finish or surfacefeatures or a surface coating that provides light-diffusingcharacteristics to diffuser 2754. In some embodiments, diffuser 2754 isa strip of sheet material that fits into a recess in divider 2746 andconforms to the shape of the surfaces of divider 2746 that it contacts.Alternatively, diffuser 2754 may be molded or thermoformed to shape. Asshown, housing 2718 and divider 2746 form a top enclosure 2748, anddivider 2746 and bottom plate 2734 form a bottom enclosure 2728. Asshown, housing 2718 includes at least one opening 2742 that correspondsto opening 2744 in front surface 2726 of base portion 2712. In someembodiments, opening 2742 has a transparent or translucent window (notshown). In some embodiments, housing 2718 is thermoformed from opaquesheet plastic, creating a clean and aesthetically pleasing shape whilemaintaining low cost and disposability. Alternatively, they may beconstructed of other opaque, transparent or translucent materials suchas paper, paperboard, cardboard or paper pulp. In some embodiments,housing 2718 is constructed by injection molding or by other suitablemanufacturing techniques. In some embodiments, housing 2718, divider2746 and bottom plate 2734 are joined together where they intersect orengage with an adhesive, although they may also be joined together byother commonly used packaging assembly techniques such as ultrasonicwelding or high frequency (HF) welding or by any other suitable assemblymethod. For example, housing 2718 and/or divider 2746 and/or bottomplate 2734 and/or adhesive 2736 may be impregnated with sorbitol,coleopteran attractants including brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin,grandlure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid,multistriatin, oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call, dipteranattractants including ceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun,muscalure, and trimedlure, homopteran attractants including rescalure,lepidopteran attractants such as disparlure, straight chain lepidopteranpheromones including codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure,orfralure, and ostramone, and other insect attractants such as eugenol,methyl eugenol, and siglure, or other substances to provide a scent thatmay further increase the insect-attracting efficiency of insect trap2710. Alternatively, the insect attractants may be embedded in aseparate piece (not shown) that may mount on an inside surface ofdivider 2746 or through an opening in housing 2718. It is desirable forsuch attractants to be detectable by an insect for approximately a2-meter radius from insect trap 2710.

In some embodiments, base portion 2712 includes a circuit board 2750having a programmable processor or chip (not shown) for executingcommands, electrically connected to cord 2716, conductive prongs 2722and LEDs 2724. For clarity, however, the electrical connections are notshown. Circuit board 2750 may also include electronic circuitry toreceive ordinary household current, for example, from conductive prongs2722 and provide power to illuminate LEDs 2724. Circuit board 2750 mayinclude an energy stabilizer such as a full wave rectifier circuit orany other circuit that may provide steady voltage to LEDs 2724, althoughit may also provide a varying voltage to LEDs 2724 to provide aflickering light, which mimics movement that some insects findattractive. Circuit board 2750 may provide power to LEDs 2724 to provideboth UV and/or visible and/or IR light, although it may be configured toprovide power to only UV LEDs 2724 or to only visible light LEDs 2724 orto only IR LEDs 2724, or to provide variable power to producecombinations of flickering UV and/or visible and/or IR light. Circuitboard 2750 may also be configured to drive a transmitter or transceiversuch as a piezoelectric speaker (not shown) or other device that may bemounted in base portion 2712 to emit insect-attracting sounds orvibrations. In some embodiments, the transmitter or transceiver may emitrecorded and/or generated insect sounds or vibrations to better attractinsects, and may include one or more of insect call, reply, courtshipand copulatory songs. In some embodiments, the transmitter ortransceiver may emit recorded and/or generated insect-attracting soundsor vibrations such as the heartbeat of a mammal. For example, thetransmitter or transceiver may emit an insect-attracting sound or soundshaving a frequency in the range of approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g., the heartrate of large mammals) to approximately 240 kHz (e.g., the highestfrequency detectable by insects). In some embodiments, the frequency isin the range of approximately 5 Hz to 100 kHz. In some embodiments, thefrequency is in the range of approximately 35 Hz to 50 Khz. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be detectable by an insectwithin approximately a 2-meter distance from insect trap 2710. It isdesirable for such insect-attracting sound to be undetectable by a humanbeyond approximately a 1-meter distance from insect trap 2710.

As shown, rim 2732 on front surface 2726 of base portion 2712 engageswith trap portion 2714 to secure it in place during use, although anyother form of attachment may be substituted that allows trap portion2714 to be securely but removably mounted on base portion 2712.

In the operation of insect trap 2710, conductive prongs 2722 (not shown)are inserted into a wall electrical socket, and LEDs 2724 emit light,represented by arrows, which transmits through opening 2744 in baseportion 2712 and opening 2742 in housing 2718, into top enclosure 2748,and directly onto diffuser 2754, top surface 2740 of divider 2746 andthe inside surface of housing 2718. In some embodiments, light is notmanipulated in base portion 2712 and is emitted directly into trapportion 2714. Diffuser 2754 transmits the light evenly through thecorresponding surfaces of divider 2746 and into bottom enclosure 2728.In some embodiments, the inside surface of housing 2718 may beconfigured to reflect and disperse light from LEDs 2724 through divider2746 into bottom enclosure 2728, and evenly onto adhesive 2736 coatingtop surface 2738 of bottom plate 2734, although the inside surface ofhousing 2718 may also have ribs or other features (not shown) to moreevenly distribute the light. Top surface 2740 of divider 2746 may beplanar or convex or concave or be a combination of forms to more evenlydistribute the light onto adhesive 2736. In some embodiments, an opticalenhancer such as an anamorphic lens (not shown) or any other lens orcombination of lenses configured to distribute the light (e.g., evenly,according to specific patterns, at a focal point, etc.) through divider2746 and onto adhesive 2736, may be mounted to trap portion 2714 at ornear opening 2742 in housing 2718 or to base portion 2712 at or nearopening 2744, and may replace or augment the role of thereflective-coated inside surface of housing 2718. The light may befurther evenly distributed by the light-diffusing properties of divider2746, the adhesive coating the inside surface of divider 2746, or by acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the light from LEDs 2724 maydirectly strike top surface 2740 of divider 2746 at an oblique angle(e.g., an acute angle from approximately 0° to 90°) and be spread acrosstop surface 2740, and may replace or augment the light-distributing roleof the top surface 2740 of divider 2746 or of the lens or lenses mountedto trap portion 2714 or to base portion 2712.

Thereafter, a portion of the light entering bottom enclosure 2728continues through opening 2752 in divider 2746 and its correspondingopening 2720 in housing 2718 and into the surrounding area where insecttrap 2710 is installed. Insects and other arthropod pests are attractedto the light from diffuser 2754 and from adhesive 2736 that transmitsthrough opening 2752 in divider 2746 and its corresponding opening 2720in housing 2718, and hop or crawl through opening 2720 in housing 2718and its corresponding opening 2752 in divider 2746 and onto adhesive2736, where they may become trapped. A user may observe trapped insectsby looking through opening 2720 in housing 2718 and its correspondingopening 2752 in divider 2746. When a sufficient number of insects havebeen trapped, the user can easily remove and discard the entire usedtrap portion 2714 without touching trapped insects, insect debris oradhesive, which remain out of reach inside trap portion 2714, andreplace it with a new trap portion 2714. New trap portion 2714 has freshadhesive-coated surfaces, ensuring that insect trap 2710 continues toefficiently and effectively attract and trap insects.

In some embodiments, because trap portion 2714 mounts beside, and not ontop of or underneath base portion 2712, insect trap 2710 protrudesminimally from the floor and therefore intrudes minimally into the homeenvironment. In some embodiments, insect trap 2710 may be configuredsuch that when placed on a floor, its overall height, defined by theoverall distance insect trap 2710 protrudes from the floor, is smallerthan its overall length and its overall width.

It should be appreciated that a benefit of insect trap 2710 is themanipulation of light within trap portion 2714. In some embodiments,light manipulation occurs solely within trap portion 2714. Lightmanipulation may include reflection, refraction, polarization,dispersion and/or diffusion and is achieved by engaging with amanipulative element or surface (e.g., inside surface of housing 2718and adhesive 2736). In some embodiments, light manipulation produces aneven distribution of light on adhesive 2736. In some embodiments, lightis manipulated to produce a predetermined pattern on adhesive 2736 orwithin trap portion 2714, for example, an even distribution, an evendistribution with hot spots of higher intensity, hot spot patterns,and/or combinations thereof.

Any suitable adhesive material may be used as part of an adhesivesurface for trapping an insect. In some embodiments, pressure sensitiveadhesives such as acrylics, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitriles,silicones, styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene/propylene,styrene-isoprenestyrene, vinyl ethers may be used. Generally, thethickness of such adhesives will be in the range of approximately 0.01mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is in the rangeof approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, with a thickness of approximately0.1 mm being most often used.

An insect trap 2710 of this configuration may accommodate a variety ofdifferent trap portions 2714 that may be removably mounted to baseportion 2712, each trap portion 2714 being uniquely configured toattract and trap a specific species or multiple species of insects. Forexample, the overall size and shape of trap portion 2714, the size,shape, location and orientation of opening 2720 in housing 2718 of trapportion 2714, and the scent or scents impregnated in housing 2718,bottom plate 2734, divider 2746 or adhesive 2736, may be uniquelyconfigured to attract and trap a specific species or multiple species ofinsects.

For example, in some embodiments, trap portion 2714 is approximately 20mm to 600 mm wide, 20 mm to 600 mm long and 5 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, trap portion 2714 is approximately 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 20mm to 200 mm long and 5 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, trapportion 2714 is approximately 20 mm to 130 mm wide, 20 mm to 130 mm longand 5 mm to 50 mm high.

In some embodiments, base portion 2712 is approximately 20 mm to 600 mmwide, 10 mm to 150 mm long and 10 mm to 150 mm high. In someembodiments, base portion 2712 is 20 mm to 200 mm wide, 10 mm to 100 mmlong and 10 mm to 80 mm high. In some embodiments, base portion 2712 is20 mm to 130 mm wide, 10 mm to 50 mm long and 10 mm to 50 mm high.

In an aspect, an insect trap is disclosed including: a trap portionincluding an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening,wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within theenclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect; and a base portionincluding a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein thelighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion, andwherein the mounting portion is configured to communicate with andreceive power from a power source; wherein the trap portion isconfigured to removably engage with the base portion and receive lightfrom the base portion when engaged therewith. In an embodiment, thefirst opening is configured to allow an insect to enter into theenclosure. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes a second opening,the second opening configured to allow light to emit from the enclosure.In an embodiment, within the base portion, the light is not manipulated.In an embodiment, the enclosure includes a third opening, the thirdopening configured to allow light to be received from base portion intothe enclosure. In an embodiment, wherein the enclosure is configured todistribute the light in a predetermined pattern. In an embodiment, theenclosure includes: a front housing portion having a first internalsurface; and a rear housing portion having a second internal surface,wherein the front housing portion and rear housing portion are matinglyengaged with each other to form the enclosure; and wherein at least oneof the first or second internal surfaces is configured to manipulatelight. In an embodiment, at least one of the first or second internalsurfaces includes an adhesive surface. In an embodiment, the rearhousing portion has a concave surface, the concave surface configured toreflect light evenly within the enclosure. In an embodiment, light istransmitted through the adhesive surface, illuminating the adhesivesurface to attract an insect to the adhesive surface. In an embodiment,the enclosure includes: a front housing portion having a first internalsurface; a rear housing portion having a second internal surface; and adivider portion disposed at least partially between the front housingportion and rear housing portion, wherein the front housing portion andrear housing portion are matingly engaged with each other to form theenclosure; and wherein the divider portion divides the enclosure into afront enclosure portion and a rear enclosure portion. In an embodiment,the divider portion includes a rear surface including translucentmaterial and includes a front surface including an adhesive surface. Inan embodiment, the second internal surface of the rear housing portionincludes a concave surface, the concave surface configured to reflectlight onto the rear surface of the divider portion. In an embodiment,light is transmitted through the adhesive surface, illuminating theadhesive surface to attract an insect to the adhesive surface. In anembodiment, the rear surface of the divider portion is configured toreceive the light from the second internal surface of the rear housingportion or directly from the lighting element. In an embodiment, thedivider portion is configured to receive light at an oblique angle andspread across the divider portion. In an embodiment, the divider portionis configured to manipulate light. In an embodiment, the divider portionincludes a planar or contoured shape, wherein the shape of the dividerportion is configured to optimize light distribution. In an embodiment,the base portion includes a protrusion and wherein the trap portionincludes a recess for receiving the protrusion, wherein when theprotrusion is received by the trap portion, the base portion and trapportion are engaged. In an embodiment, the trap portion includes aprotrusion and wherein the base portion includes a recess for receivingthe protrusion, wherein when the protrusion is received by the baseportion, the base portion and trap portion are engaged. In anembodiment, the trap portion includes a polymeric, fibrous, orcarbon-based material. In an embodiment, the mounting portion includesan electrical plug having rigid conductors protruding substantiallyperpendicularly and directly from the rear surface of the mountingportion, wherein the conductors are insertable into an electrical poweroutlet. In an embodiment, the power source includes an electrical poweroutlet or a battery. In an embodiment, the lighting element includes alight emitting diode (LED). In an embodiment, the lighting elementincludes an ultraviolet (UV) LED and a blue LED. In an embodiment, thebase portion includes an energy stabilizer configured to provide aconstant voltage to the lighting element. In an embodiment, the energystabilizer includes full rectifier circuit. In an embodiment, the baseportion includes an opening, the opening configured to allow light toemit from the base portion to the trap portion. In an embodiment, theopening includes a transparent or translucent window. In an embodiment,the opening is proximate to the lighting element. In an embodiment, thetrap portion includes an insect attractant. In an embodiment, the insectattractant is selected from the group consisting of: sorbitol,coleopteran attractants, dipteran attractants, homopteran attractants,lepidopteran, straight chain lepidopteran pheromones, eugenol, methyleugenol, and siglure. In an embodiment, the coleopteran attractantsinclude brevicomin, dominicalure, frontalin, grandlure, ipsdienol,ipsenol, japonilure, lineatin, megatomoic acid, multistriatin,oryctalure, sulcatol, and trunc-call. In an embodiment, the dipteranattractants include ceralure, cue-lure, latilure, medlure, moguchun,muscalure, and trimedlure. In an embodiment, the homopteran attractantsinclude rescalure. In an embodiment, the lepidopteran attractantsinclude disparlure. In an embodiment, the straight chain lepidopteranpheromones include codlelure, gossyplure, hexalure, litlure, looplure,orfralure, and ostramone. In an embodiment, the insect attractant isintegral to the enclosure. In an embodiment, the base portion includes atransmitter. In an embodiment, the transmitter includes a piezoelectricspeaker configured to emit an insect-attracting sound. In an embodiment,the insect-attracting sound includes frequencies in the range ofapproximately 0.2 Hz to 240 KHz. In an embodiment, the base includes aswitch, the switch configured to allow a user to control a property ofthe trap. In an embodiment, the property is selected from the groupconsisting of: power, light intensity, light wavelength or frequency,light flickering, light patterns, and combinations thereof. In anembodiment, the switch includes a mechanical switch, an optical switch,an electronic switch, an electromechanical switch, or a Hall effectsensor. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes a reflective surface.In an embodiment, the adhesive surface is proximate to the reflectivesurface. In an embodiment, the base portion includes a circuitconfigured to a varying voltage to the lighting element, wherein thelighting element provides intermittent light to the trap portion. In anembodiment, the enclosure includes an outer surface, the outer surfaceat least partially surrounded by sleeve that is configured to reduce theamount of light emitted by the enclosure. In an embodiment, the at leastone of the first or second internal surfaces includes a texturedsurface, the textured surface configured to increase the surface area ofthe enclosure. In an embodiment, the textured surfaces include ribsextending at least a portion of the length of the first or secondinternal surfaces. In an embodiment, the at least one of the first orsecond internal surfaces include a textured surface, the texturedsurface configured to increase the surface area of the enclosure. In anembodiment, the textured surfaces include ribs extending at least aportion of the length of the first or second internal surfaces. In anembodiment, the trap further includes: a light conducting body locatedproximate to the second internal surface of the rear housing portion,the light conducting body having a front surface and a rear surface andthe light conducting body configured to receive light from the baseportion and distribute the light in a predetermined pattern in theenclosure. In an embodiment, the front surface of the light conductingbody further includes an adhesive material. In an embodiment, the rearsurface of the light reflecting body is configured to reduce the amountof light from being emitted in a predetermined direction. In anembodiment, the light conducting body is tapered, having a thicker depthat a portion proximate to the base portion and a thinner depth at anopposite end. In an embodiment, the rear surface of the light conductingbody is configured to reflect light into the light conducting body. Inan embodiment, light is reflected multiple times within the lightconducting body before being emitted into the enclosure. In anembodiment, the rear surface includes a rear cover or a matte layer. Inan embodiment, the base portion further includes an optical enhancer,the optical enhancer configured to direct the light into the trapportion in a predetermined pattern. In an embodiment, the opticalenhancer includes a lens. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes aninner sleeve and the base portion includes an outer sleeve, the innersleeve configured to align with the outer sleeve. In an embodiment, theouter sleeve includes a face plate having an opening. In an embodiment,the face plate opening corresponds to an enclosure opening, the openingsproviding an alignment means. In an embodiment, the inner sleeve isconfigured to be dropped into the outer sleeve. In an embodiment, theinner sleeve includes a tab for holding on to the inner sleeve. In anembodiment, the base portion includes a docking switch, the dockingswitch configured to activate the lighting element when the trap portionis correctly engaged with the base portion. In an embodiment, the trapportion includes a docking switch activator, the docking switchactivator configured to activate the docking switch when the trapportion is correctly engaged with the base portion. In an embodiment,the docking switch includes a mechanical switch, an optical switch, anelectronic switch, an electromechanical switch, or a Hall effect sensor.

In an aspect, an insect trap is disclosed including: a trap portionincluding: an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening,wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within theenclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect, and a lightingelement at least partially contained within the enclosure, wherein thelighting element is configured to provide light within the enclosure andwherein the lighting element is configured to communicate with andreceive power from a power source; and a base portion configured toremovably engage the trap portion and provide access to the powersource. In an embodiment, the lighting element includes a plurality ofelectrical trap contacts and wherein the base portion includes aplurality of electrical base contacts, the trap contacts configured tocommunicate with the base contacts to provide power to the lightingelement. In an embodiment, the base contacts are in communication withthe power source. In an embodiment, the lighting element includes alight emitting diode (LED).

In an aspect, a removable insect trap cartridge is disclosed including:an enclosure defining the cartridge, the enclosure having an adhesivesurface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at leastpartially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere toan insect, wherein the first opening is configured to allow an insect toenter the enclosure, and wherein the enclosure is configured to providelight in a predetermined pattern within the enclosure. In an embodiment,the enclosure further includes a lighting element. In an embodiment, thelighting element includes a light emitting diode (LED). In anembodiment, the lighting element includes an ultraviolet (UV) LED and ablue LED. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes: a front housingportion having a first internal surface; and a rear housing portionhaving a second internal surface, wherein the front housing portion andrear housing portion are matingly engaged with each other to form theenclosure; and wherein at least one of the first or second internalsurfaces is configured to manipulate light. In an embodiment, at leastone of the first or second internal surfaces includes an adhesivesurface. In an embodiment, the rear housing portion has a concavesurface, the concave surface configured to reflect light evenly withinthe enclosure. In an embodiment, light is transmitted through theadhesive surface, illuminating the adhesive surface to attract an insectto the adhesive surface. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes: afront housing portion having a first internal surface; a rear housingportion having a second internal surface; and a divider portion disposedat least partially between the front housing portion and rear housingportion, wherein the front housing portion and rear housing portion arematingly engaged with each other to form the enclosure; and wherein thedivider portion divides the enclosure into a front enclosure portion anda rear enclosure portion. In an embodiment, the divider portion includesa rear surface having translucent material and includes a front surfacehaving an adhesive surface. In an embodiment, the second internalsurface of the rear housing portion includes a concave surface, theconcave surface configured to reflect light onto the rear surface of thedivider portion. In an embodiment, light is transmitted through theadhesive surface, illuminating the adhesive surface to attract an insectto the adhesive surface. In an embodiment, the rear surface of thedivider portion is configured to receive the light from the secondinternal surface of the rear housing portion or directly from a lightingelement. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes a bottom surface, thebottom surface configured to be removably received in a pluggable base.In an embodiment, wherein the enclosure includes biodegradablematerials. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes an outer surface,the outer surface including a decorative element. In an embodiment, thedecorative element includes a shape selected from the group consistingof: a flower, a plant, a shell, a company logo, a sports team logo, afootball, a basketball, a soccer ball, a hockey puck, a football helmetor a hockey stick. In an embodiment, the trap portion includes an insectattractant. In an embodiment, the insect attractant is selected from thegroup consisting of: sorbitol, coleopteran attractants, dipteranattractants, homopteran attractants, lepidopteran, straight chainlepidopteran pheromones, eugenol, methyl eugenol, and siglure. In anembodiment, the insect attractant is detectable by an insect at adistance of approximately 2 meters from the cartridge. In an embodiment,the enclosure includes a textured surface, the textured surfaceconfigured to increase the surface area of the enclosure. In anembodiment, the textured surface includes ribs extending at least aportion of the length of the enclosure. In an embodiment, the cartridgefurther includes: a light conducting body located within the enclosure,the light conducting body configured to receive light and distribute thelight in a predetermined pattern in the enclosure. In an embodiment, theenclosure includes an inner sleeve that is configured to be receivedinto and aligned with an outer sleeve. In an embodiment, the outersleeve includes a face plate having an opening. In an embodiment, theface plate opening corresponds to an enclosure opening, the openingsproviding an alignment means. In an embodiment, the inner sleeveincludes a tab for holding on to the inner sleeve. In an embodiment, thecartridge includes a docking switch activator, the docking switchactivator configured to activate a docking switch when the cartridge iscorrectly engaged with a base portion. In an embodiment, the dockingswitch activator includes a mechanical switch, an optical switch, anelectronic switch, an electromechanical switch, or a Hall effect sensor.

In an aspect, a method is disclosed including: providing a base portionof an insect trap; providing a first trap portion of an insect trap,wherein the first trap portion includes an opening; mounting the firsttrap portion to the base portion; coupling the base portion to a powersource to provide power to a lighting element, wherein the lightingelement is within the base portion or first trap portion and wherein thelighting element is configured to attract an insect into the first trapportion; and receiving an insect into the first trap portion through theopening. In an embodiment, the method further includes: separating thefirst trap portion from the base portion; and disposing of the firsttrap portion, wherein the insect remains in the disposed first trapportion. In an embodiment, the first trap portion is disposed withoutthe human contact with the insect in the first trap portion. In anembodiment, the first trap portion includes an adhesive surface andwherein the insect adheres to the adhesive surface. In an embodiment,the base portion includes a docking switch, wherein the docking switchis configured to activate the lighting element when the first trapportion is correctly mounted to the base portion. In an embodiment, uponseparating the first trap portion from the base portion, the lightingelement is powered off. In an embodiment, upon separating the first trapportion from the base portion, the lighting element is partiallyshielded from emitting light. In an embodiment, the method furtherincludes: providing a second trap portion of an insect trap, wherein thesecond trap portion includes an opening; and mounting the second trapportion to the base portion. In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, thefirst insect trap and second insect trap have different configurations.

In an aspect, a docking apparatus is disclosed including: a dockingstructure configured to activate in response to a docking activator, thedocking activator located on a separate piece configured to engage thedocking structure, wherein the docking structure is in communicationwith a power source and is configured to control power to a lightingelement. In an embodiment, the docking activator includes a surface, aprotrusion, a tab or a magnet. In an embodiment, the docking structureis configured to close when the docking activator engages with it and isconfigured to open when the docking activator disengages from it. In anembodiment, the docking structure is configured to activate in responseto pressure from the docking activator. In an embodiment, the dockingstructure is configured to activate in response to displacement from thedocking activator.

In an aspect, a removable insect trap cartridge is disclosed including:an enclosure defining the cartridge, the enclosure having an adhesivesurface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at leastpartially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere toan insect, and a docking activator, the docking activator configured toengage a docking structure in a mounting portion.

Insect traps disclosed herein may attract and trap insects effectivelyand efficiently. They may be less costly than existing traps. They maybe small enough to fit wherever needed, and be conveniently movable fromone location to another. They may protrude minimally when mounted on awall. The removable and replaceable trap portions may be attractive inappearance, but also be inexpensive and disposable, and may be easy forthe user to maintain without touching trapped insects or adhesive.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can beapplied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, it is to be understood that the description anddrawings presented herein represent exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure and are therefore representative of the subject matter, whichis broadly contemplated by the present disclosure. It is furtherunderstood that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompassesother embodiments and that the scope of the present disclosure isaccordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claim.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insect trap, comprising: a trap portionincluding an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening,wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within theenclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect; and a base portionincluding a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein thelighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion, andwherein the mounting portion is configured to communicate with andreceive power from a power source; wherein the trap portion isconfigured to removably engage with the base portion and receive lightfrom the base portion when engaged therewith; wherein the base portioncomprises a snap protrusion and wherein the trap portion comprises asnap recess for receiving the snap protrusion, wherein when the snapprotrusion is received by the trap portion, the base portion and trapportion are engaged in a snap fit.
 2. The insect trap of claim 1,wherein the snap fit configured to provide positive tactile or audiblecue to a user that the trap is properly engaged.
 3. The insect trap ofclaim 1, wherein the snap fit is engageable and disengageable by a forceof less than about 50 Newtons.
 4. The insect trap of claim 1, whereinthe snap fit allows a user to engage or disengage the trap portion withthe base portion using a single hand.
 5. The insect trap of claim 1,wherein the base portion is configured to remain upright when placed ona horizontal surface.
 6. The insect trap of claim 1, wherein the baseportion comprises a bottom flat surface or legs to enable base portionto remain upright.
 7. An insect trap portion capable of removablyengaging a base portion having a lighting element, comprising: a frontenclosure; a rear enclosure; a divider comprising an adhesive fortrapping insects, wherein the divider separates the insect trap portioninto the front enclosure and the rear enclosure; a first openingconfigured to admit an insect into the front enclosure; and a snaprecess.
 8. The insect trap portion of claim 7, wherein the snap recesshas a proximal portion that is larger in width and/or depth than adistal portion of the snap recess.
 9. The insect trap portion of claim7, wherein the divider is transparent or translucent and wherein theadhesive is transparent or translucent.
 10. The insect trap portion ofclaim 7, wherein the adhesive is coated on the divider.
 11. The insecttrap portion of claim 7, wherein the divider (1934) is substantiallyplanar.
 12. The insect trap portion of claim 7, wherein front enclosureis enclosed by a front housing and the rear enclosure is enclosed by arear housing.
 13. The insect trap portion of claim 12, wherein the snaprecess is located on the front housing.
 14. The insect trap portion ofclaim 12, wherein the front housing and the rear housing are joinedtogether by glue or ultrasonic welding and wherein the front housing andthe rear housing are formed by injection molding or thermoforming. 15.The insect trap portion of claim 7, further comprising a second openingor window formed in a bottom surface of the rear housing.
 16. The insecttrap portion of claim 7, wherein the first opening is formed in thefront housing.
 17. The insect trap portion of claim 7, wherein an insidesurface of the rear housing is concave.
 18. The insect trap portion ofclaim 7, wherein the adhesive is applied as a coating over a frontsurface of the divider.
 19. The insect trap portion of claim 7, whereinthe insect trap portion further comprises an insect attractant.
 20. Theinsect trap portion of claim 7, wherein the insect trap portion has awidth from 20 mm to 200 mm and a height from 20 mm to 200 mm and a depthfrom 5 mm to 80 mm, preferably a width from 20 mm to 130 mm and a heightfrom 20 mm to 130 mm and a depth from 5 mm to 50 mm.